Observation of a flare-generated shock wave at 9. 7 AU by Pioneer 10

Journal Article · Wed Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1978 · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JA083iA03p01165· OSTI ID:7208081

Dryer, M; Shea, M A; Smart, D F; Collard, H R; Mihalov, J D; Wolfe, J H; Warwick, J W

The period March 15 to May 15, 1976, was declared in advance to be the internationally recognized Study of Traveling Interplanetary Phenomena Interval II. A variety of ground- and space-based equipment was requested to make coordinated studies during this part of the minimum of solar cycle 20. Following an absence of solar activity for a long period, several type II radio bursts on March 20, 1976, produced by two solar flares behind the east limb heralded a series of solar interplanetary, and terrestrial events. These solar radio astronomical observations were followed by non-Io-associated radio emission from Jupiter and solar wind plasma detection at Pioneer 10 at 9.7 AU of an apparent shock wave on March 30 and April 9, 1976, respectively. In view of the fact that the solar flares on March 20 were essentially at central meridian with respect to Jupiter and Pioneer 10 and also that the sun was extremely inactive prior to that date we consider the circumstantial evidence that at least one solar-flare-generated shock wave propagated to the position of Pioneer 10. The average velocities of this shock wave, together with the inferred type II velocity, support previous observations and theory concerning the rapid deceleration and survival of interplanetary shock waves to distances at least as large as approx.10 AU. It is therefore believed that dissipation (other than that within shocks themselves) plays an insignificant role in shock wave dynamics within the solar wind.

• Research Organization: Space Environment Laboratory, NOAA/ERL, Boulder, Colorado 80302
• OSTI ID: 7208081
• Journal Information: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States) Vol. 83:A3; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640107* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Planetary Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ENERGY LOSSES
INTERPLANETARY SPACE
JUPITER PLANET
PIONEER SPACE PROBES
PLANETS
RADIATIONS
RADIOWAVE RADIATION
SHOCK WAVES
SOLAR ACTIVITY
SOLAR FLARES
SPACE
SPACE VEHICLES