Quadrupole distortions of the heliospheric current sheet in 1976 and 1977

Journal Article · Wed Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1982 · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JA087iA12p10339· OSTI ID:6213693

Bruno, R; Burlaga, L F; Hundhausen, A J

Latitudinal variations in the position of the heliospheric current sheet were investigated using interplanetary measurements from Helios A. Helios B. IMP8, and white light corona measurements in the period May 1976 to May 1977. The latitude of the heliospheric current sheet between 0.3 AU and IAU is consistent with that of the maximum brightness curve of white light polarization brightness at 1.75 solar radii within approximately +- 7/sup 0/. The combined data sets show that the four-sector magnetic sector pattern observed in the ecliptic plane for most of this epoch could be attributed to a warped current sheet whose shape near the sun resembles a saddle surface that is nearly symmetrical about the equatorial plane. The latitudinal extent of the current sheet is on the average 8/sup 0/ and the maximum extent is 15/sup 0/ (except on one rotation, when it is 20/sup 0/). These results can be interpreted as a consequence of the solar magnetic field, the dominant components of the field being due to a dipole nearly aligned with the sun's spin axis and a quadrupole component whose strength is approx.17% of the dipole.

• Research Organization: NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, Laboratory for Extraterrestrial Physics, Greenbelt, Maryland 20771
• OSTI ID: 6213693
• Journal Information: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States) Journal Issue: A12 Vol. 87:A12; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640104* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Solar Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ATMOSPHERES
BRIGHTNESS
CURRENTS
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
GEOGRAPHICAL VARIATIONS
INTERPLANETARY SPACE
LATITUDE EFFECT
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAIN SEQUENCE STARS
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
QUADRUPOLE MOMENTS
SOLAR ATMOSPHERE
SOLAR CORONA
SPACE
STARS
SUN
VARIATIONS