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1. Magnetic reconnection as a mechanism to produce multiple thermal proton populations and beams locally in the solar wind

Author

B. Lavraud, R. Kieokaew, N. Fargette, P. Louarn, A. Fedorov, N. André, G. Fruit, V. Génot, V. Réville, A. P. Rouillard, I. Plotnikov, E. Penou, A. Barthe, L. Prech, C. J. Owen, R. Bruno, F. Allegrini, M. Berthomier, D. Kataria, S. Livi, J. M. Raines, R. D’Amicis, J. P. Eastwood, C. Froment, R. Laker, M. Maksimovic, F. Marcucci, S. Perri, D. Perrone, T. D. Phan, D. Stansby, J. Stawarz, S. Toledo-Redondo, A. Vaivads, D. Verscharen, I. Zouganelis, V. Angelini, V. Evans, T. S. Horbury, H. O’Brien, Institut de recherche en astrophysique et planétologie (IRAP), Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées (OMP), Météo France-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Météo France-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), AKKA Technologies, Charles University [Prague] (CU), University College of London [London] (UCL), Laboratoire Population-Environnement-Développement (LPED), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Aix Marseille Université (AMU), The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), Southwest Research Institute [San Antonio] (SwRI), Laboratoire de Physique des Plasmas (LPP), Observatoire de Paris, Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-École polytechnique (X)-Sorbonne Université (SU)-Université Paris-Saclay-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Mullard Space Science Laboratory (MSSL), University of Michigan [Ann Arbor], University of Michigan System, INAF - Osservatorio Astronomico di Roma (OAR), Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica (INAF), Imperial College London, Laboratoire de Physique et Chimie de l'Environnement et de l'Espace (LPC2E), Observatoire des Sciences de l'Univers en région Centre (OSUC), Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Observatoire de Paris, Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université d'Orléans (UO)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Observatoire de Paris, Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université d'Orléans (UO)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Centre National d’Études Spatiales [Paris] (CNES), Laboratoire d'études spatiales et d'instrumentation en astrophysique (LESIA (UMR_8109)), Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Sorbonne Université (SU)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université de Paris (UP), Università della Calabria [Arcavacata di Rende] (Unical), Italian Space Agency, Space Sciences Laboratory [Berkeley] (SSL), University of California [Berkeley], University of California-University of California, European Space Astronomy Centre (ESAC), European Space Agency (ESA), Royal Institute of Technology [Stockholm] (KTH ), Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Université de Toulouse (UT)-Université de Toulouse (UT)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées (OMP), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Université de Toulouse (UT)-Université de Toulouse (UT)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Météo-France -Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Météo-France -Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Laboratoire d'études spatiales et d'instrumentation en astrophysique = Laboratory of Space Studies and Instrumentation in Astrophysics (LESIA), Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Sorbonne Université (SU)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université Paris Cité (UPCité), University of California [Berkeley] (UC Berkeley), University of California (UC)-University of California (UC), Agence Spatiale Européenne = European Space Agency (ESA), Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), and The Royal Society

Subjects
astro-ph.SR, 010504 meteorology & atmospheric sciences, Proton, FOS: Physical sciences, Astrophysics, Astronomy & Astrophysics, 01 natural sciences, Nuclear physics, Physics - Space Physics, 0201 Astronomical and Space Sciences, 0103 physical sciences, Astrophysics::Solar and Stellar Astrophysics, 010303 astronomy & astrophysics, Sun: magnetic fields, Solar and Stellar Astrophysics (astro-ph.SR), 0105 earth and related environmental sciences, Physics, Computer Science::Information Retrieval, Astronomy and Astrophysics, Magnetic reconnection, Space Physics (physics.space-ph), Solar wind, Astrophysics - Solar and Stellar Astrophysics, solar wind, physics.space-ph, Space and Planetary Science, Physics::Space Physics, Astrophysics::Earth and Planetary Astrophysics, [PHYS.ASTR]Physics [physics]/Astrophysics [astro-ph], Mechanism (sociology)
Abstract

Context.Spacecraft data revealed early on the frequent observation of multiple near-thermal proton populations in the solar wind. Decades of research on their origin have focused on processes such as magnetic reconnection in the low corona and wave-particle interactions in the corona and locally in the solar wind.Aims.This study aims to highlight the fact that such multiple thermal proton populations and beams are also produced by magnetic reconnection occurring locally in the solar wind.Methods.We used high-resolution Solar Orbiter proton velocity distribution function measurements, complemented by electron and magnetic field data, to analyze the association of multiple thermal proton populations and beams with magnetic reconnection during a period of slow Alfvénic solar wind on 16 July 2020.Results.At least six reconnecting current sheets with associated multiple thermal proton populations and beams, including a case of magnetic reconnection at a switchback boundary, were found on this day. This represents 2% of the measured distribution functions. We discuss how this proportion may be underestimated, and how it may depend on solar wind type and distance from the Sun.Conclusions.Although suggesting a likely small contribution, but which remains to be quantitatively assessed, Solar Orbiter observations show that magnetic reconnection must be considered as one of the mechanisms that produce multiple thermal proton populations and beams locally in the solar wind.

Published
2021
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2. Characteristic Scales of Magnetic Switchback Patches Near the Sun and Their Possible Association With Solar Supergranulation and Granulation

Author

Victor Réville, Matthieu Berthomier, Kelly E. Korreck, Phyllis Whittlesey, Jasper Halekas, Justin C. Kasper, Davin Larson, N. Fargette, Clara Froment, Stuart D. Bale, Philippe Louarn, Benoit Lavraud, Thierry Dudok de Wit, David M. Malaspina, Tai Phan, Anthony W. Case, Marc Pulupa, Alexis P. Rouillard, Michael L. Stevens, Laboratoire de Physique et Chimie de l'Environnement et de l'Espace (LPC2E), Observatoire des Sciences de l'Univers en région Centre (OSUC), Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université d'Orléans (UO)-Observatoire de Paris, Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université d'Orléans (UO)-Observatoire de Paris, and Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Centre National d’Études Spatiales [Paris] (CNES)

Subjects
Physics, [PHYS.ASTR.IM]Physics [physics]/Astrophysics [astro-ph]/Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysic [astro-ph.IM], 010504 meteorology & atmospheric sciences, FOS: Physical sciences, Astronomy and Astrophysics, Astrophysics, Solar physics, [PHYS.ASTR.SR]Physics [physics]/Astrophysics [astro-ph]/Solar and Stellar Astrophysics [astro-ph.SR], 01 natural sciences, [PHYS.PHYS.PHYS-SPACE-PH]Physics [physics]/Physics [physics]/Space Physics [physics.space-ph], Solar wind, Granulation, Astrophysics - Solar and Stellar Astrophysics, Space and Planetary Science, [PHYS.PHYS.PHYS-PLASM-PH]Physics [physics]/Physics [physics]/Plasma Physics [physics.plasm-ph], 0103 physical sciences, Physics::Space Physics, Astrophysics::Solar and Stellar Astrophysics, Supergranulation, Astrophysics::Earth and Planetary Astrophysics, 010303 astronomy & astrophysics, Solar and Stellar Astrophysics (astro-ph.SR), [PHYS.PHYS.PHYS-DATA-AN]Physics [physics]/Physics [physics]/Data Analysis, Statistics and Probability [physics.data-an], 0105 earth and related environmental sciences
Abstract

Parker Solar Probe (PSP) data recorded within a heliocentric radial distance of 0.3 AU have revealed a magnetic field dominated by Alfv\'enic structures that undergo large local variations or even reversals of the radial magnetic field. They are called magnetic switchbacks, they are consistent with folds in magnetic field lines within a same magnetic sector, and are associated with velocity spikes during an otherwise calmer background. They are thought to originate either in the low solar atmosphere through magnetic reconnection processes, or result from the evolution of turbulence or velocity shears in the expanding solar wind. In this work, we investigate the temporal and spatial characteristic scales of magnetic switchback patches. We define switchbacks as a deviation from the nominal Parker spiral direction and detect them automatically for PSP encounters 1, 2, 4 and 5. We focus in particular on a 5.1-day interval dominated by switchbacks during E5. We perform a wavelet transform of the solid angle between the magnetic field and the Parker spiral and find periodic spatial modulations with two distinct wavelengths, respectively consistent with solar granulation and supergranulation scales. In addition we find that switchback occurrence and spectral properties seem to depend on the source region of the solar wind rather than on the radial distance of PSP. These results suggest that switchbacks are formed in the low corona and modulated by the solar surface convection pattern., Comment: 12 pages, 7 figures

Published
2021
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3. Solar wind rotation rate and shear at coronal hole boundaries

Author

R. Kieokaew, Léa Griton, N. Fargette, A. P. Rouillard, Rui Pinto, Nicolas Poirier, A. S. Brun, A. Kouloumvakos, Benoit Lavraud, Astrophysique Interprétation Modélisation (AIM (UMR_7158 / UMR_E_9005 / UM_112)), Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Paris-Saclay-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université de Paris (UP), Institut de recherche en astrophysique et planétologie (IRAP), Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées (OMP), Météo France-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Météo France-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Laboratoire d'Astrophysique de Bordeaux [Pessac] (LAB), Université de Bordeaux (UB)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), We acknowledge support from the French space agency (Centre National des Études Spatiales, CNES, STORMS, ERC SLOW_SOURCE project DLV-819189. ERC synergy grant Whole Sun #810218., Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Paris-Saclay-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université Paris Cité (UPCité), Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Université de Toulouse (UT)-Université de Toulouse (UT)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées (OMP), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), and Université de Toulouse (UT)-Université de Toulouse (UT)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Météo-France -Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Météo-France -Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)

Subjects
010504 meteorology & atmospheric sciences, Astrophysics::High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena, Flux, Coronal hole, FOS: Physical sciences, Context (language use), Astrophysics, Rotation, 01 natural sciences, 0103 physical sciences, Astrophysics::Solar and Stellar Astrophysics, 010303 astronomy & astrophysics, Solar and Stellar Astrophysics (astro-ph.SR), Sun: rotation, 0105 earth and related environmental sciences, Physics, Sun: corona, Astronomy and Astrophysics, Geophysics, Corona, Magnetic field, Solar wind, Astrophysics - Solar and Stellar Astrophysics, solar wind, 13. Climate action, Space and Planetary Science, Physics::Space Physics, Solar rotation, Astrophysics::Earth and Planetary Astrophysics, [PHYS.ASTR]Physics [physics]/Astrophysics [astro-ph]
Abstract

In-situ measurements by several spacecraft have revealed that the solar wind is frequently perturbed by transient structures (magnetic folds, jets, waves, flux-ropes) that propagate rapidly away from the Sun over large distances. Parker Solar Probe has detected frequent rotations of the magnetic field vector at small heliocentric distances, accompanied by surprisingly large solar wind rotation rates. The physical origin of such magnetic field bends, the conditions for their survival across the interplanetary space, and their relation to solar wind rotation are yet to be clearly understood. We traced measured solar wind flows from the spacecraft position down to the surface of the Sun to identify their potential source regions and used a global MHD model of the corona and solar wind to relate them to the rotational state of the low solar corona. We identified regions of the solar corona for which solar wind speed and rotational shear are important and long-lived, that can be favourable to the development of magnetic deflections and to their propagation across extended heights in the solar wind. We show that coronal rotation is highly structured and that enhanced flow shear develops near the boundaries between coronal holes and streamers, around and above pseudo-streamers, even when such boundaries are aligned with the direction of solar rotation. A large fraction of the switchbacks identified by PSP map back to these regions, both in terms of instantaneous magnetic field connectivity and of the trajectories of wind streams that reach the spacecraft. These regions of strong shears are likely to leave an imprint on the solar wind over large distances and to increase the transverse speed variability in the slow solar wind. The simulations and connectivity analysis suggest they can be a source of the switchbacks and spikes observed by Parker Solar Probe., Comment: Accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics

Published
2021
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4. Solar Orbiter observations of magnetic Kelvin-Helmholtz waves in the solar wind

Author

Evans, A. P. Rouillard, Emmanuel Penou, N. Fargette, Timothy S. Horbury, Angelini, Helen O'Brien, Benoit Lavraud, Y. Yang, David Ruffolo, Andrei Fedorov, S. Aizawa, Claire Foullon, Génot, R. Kieokaew, Julia E. Stawarz, P. Louarn, Rui Pinto, Christopher J. Owen, and William H. Matthaeus

Subjects
Physics, Orbiter, symbols.namesake, Solar wind, law, Helmholtz free energy, Physics::Space Physics, symbols, Astrophysics::Solar and Stellar Astrophysics, Astrophysics::Earth and Planetary Astrophysics, Geophysics, Heliosphere, law.invention
Abstract

The Kelvin-Helmholtz instability (KHI) is a nonlinear shear-driven instability that develops at the interfaces between shear flows in plasmas. KHI is ubiquitous in plasmas and has been observed in situ at planetary interfaces and at the boundaries of coronal mass ejections in remote-sensing observations. KHI is also expected to develop at flow shear interfaces in the solar wind, but while it was hypothesized to play an important role in the mixing of plasmas and exciting solar wind fluctuations, its direct observation in the solar wind was still lacking. We report first in-situ observations of ongoing KHI in the solar wind using Solar Orbiter during its cruise phase. The KHI is found in a shear layer in the slow solar wind near the Heliospheric Current Sheet. We find that the observed conditions satisfy the KHI onset criterion from linear theory and the steepening of the shear boundary layer is consistent with the development of KH vortices. We further investigate the solar wind source of this event to understand the conditions that support KH growth. In addition, we set up a local MHD simulation using the empirical values to reproduce the observed KHI. This observed KHI in the solar wind provides robust evidence that shear instability develops in the solar wind, with obvious implications in the driving of solar wind fluctuations and turbulence. The reasons for the lack of previous such measurements are also discussed.

Published
2021
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5. Direct evidence for magnetic reconnection at the boundaries of magnetic switchbacks with Parker Solar Probe

Author

Vladimir Krasnoselskikh, Marco Velli, Robert J. MacDowall, Phyllis Whittlesey, Anthony W. Case, Davin Larson, T. Dudok de Wit, Keith Goetz, Marc Pulupa, Benoit Lavraud, Justin C. Kasper, David M. Malaspina, Vamsee Krishna Jagarlamudi, Kelly E. Korreck, N. Fargette, Clara Froment, Oleksiy Agapitov, A. Larosa, Stuart D. Bale, F. S. Mozer, C. Revillet, Michael L. Stevens, Matthieu Kretzschmar, Laboratoire de Physique et Chimie de l'Environnement et de l'Espace (LPC2E), Observatoire des Sciences de l'Univers en région Centre (OSUC), Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Observatoire de Paris, Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université d'Orléans (UO)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Observatoire de Paris, Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université d'Orléans (UO)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Centre National d’Études Spatiales [Paris] (CNES), Space Sciences Laboratory [Berkeley] (SSL), University of California [Berkeley] (UC Berkeley), University of California (UC)-University of California (UC), Institut de recherche en astrophysique et planétologie (IRAP), Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Université de Toulouse (UT)-Université de Toulouse (UT)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées (OMP), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Université de Toulouse (UT)-Université de Toulouse (UT)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Météo-France -Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Météo-France -Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Laboratoire d'études spatiales et d'instrumentation en astrophysique = Laboratory of Space Studies and Instrumentation in Astrophysics (LESIA), Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Sorbonne Université (SU)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université Paris Cité (UPCité), University of Colorado [Boulder], Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Smithsonian Institution, School of Physics and Astronomy [Minneapolis], University of Minnesota [Twin Cities] (UMN), University of Minnesota System-University of Minnesota System, Department of Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering (CLaSP), University of Michigan [Ann Arbor], University of Michigan System-University of Michigan System, GSFC Solar System Exploration Division, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), IACR Brooms Barn, Partenaires INRAE, University of California [Berkeley], University of California-University of California, Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées (OMP), Météo France-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Météo France-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Laboratoire d'études spatiales et d'instrumentation en astrophysique (LESIA (UMR_8109)), and Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Sorbonne Université (SU)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université de Paris (UP)

Subjects
Field (physics), FOS: Physical sciences, Context (language use), Solar radius, Astrophysics, magnetic fields, 01 natural sciences, Current sheet, Physics - Space Physics, 0103 physical sciences, Astrophysics::Solar and Stellar Astrophysics, Sun: heliosphere, 010303 astronomy & astrophysics, Solar and Stellar Astrophysics (astro-ph.SR), Physics, 010308 nuclear & particles physics, Astronomy and Astrophysics, Magnetic reconnection, Space Physics (physics.space-ph), Magnetic field, Solar wind, Astrophysics - Solar and Stellar Astrophysics, solar wind, Space and Planetary Science, magnetic reconnection, Physics::Space Physics, [PHYS.ASTR]Physics [physics]/Astrophysics [astro-ph], Heliosphere
Abstract

Parker Solar Probe's first encounters with the Sun revealed the presence of ubiquitous localised magnetic deflections in the inner heliosphere; these structures, often called switchbacks, are particularly striking in solar wind streams originating from coronal holes. We report the direct evidence for magnetic reconnection occuring at the boundaries of three switchbacks crossed by Parker Solar Probe (PSP) at a distance of 45 to 48 solar radii of the Sun during its first encounter. We analyse the magnetic field and plasma parameters from the FIELDS and SWEAP instruments. The three structures analysed all show typical signatures of magnetic reconnection. The ion velocity and magnetic field are first correlated and then anti-correlated at the inbound and outbound edges of the bifurcated current sheets with a central ion flow jet. Most of the reconnection events have a strong guide field and moderate magnetic shear but one current sheet shows indications of quasi anti-parallel reconnection in conjunction with a magnetic field magnitude decrease by $90\%$. Given the wealth of intense current sheets observed by PSP, reconnection at switchbacks boundaries appears to be rare. However, as the switchback boundaries accomodate currents one can conjecture that the geometry of these boundaries offers favourable conditions for magnetic reconnection to occur. Such a mechanism would thus contribute in reconfiguring the magnetic field of the switchbacks, affecting the dynamics of the solar wind and eventually contributing to the blending of the structures with the regular wind as they propagate away from the Sun., Comment: 11 pages, 7 figures, 2 tables, accepted for publication in A&A, PSP special issue (v2: typos correction)

Published
2021
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6. Statistical Relationship Between Interplanetary Magnetic Field Conditions and the Helicity Sign of Flux Transfer Event Flux Ropes

Author

N. Fargette, Barbara L. Giles, C. Jacquey, Roy Torbert, Vincent Génot, James L. Burch, Benoit Lavraud, D. J. Gershman, Aurélie Marchaudon, R. Kieokaew, Institut de recherche en astrophysique et planétologie (IRAP), Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Université de Toulouse (UT)-Université de Toulouse (UT)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées (OMP), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Université de Toulouse (UT)-Université de Toulouse (UT)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Météo-France -Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Météo-France -Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), EOS Space Science Center [Durham], University of New Hampshire (UNH), Southwest Research Institute [San Antonio] (SwRI), Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées (OMP), and Météo France-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Météo France-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)

Subjects
Physics, 010504 meteorology & atmospheric sciences, [SDU.STU.GP]Sciences of the Universe [physics]/Earth Sciences/Geophysics [physics.geo-ph], Astrophysics::High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena, Flux, Magnetic reconnection, 010502 geochemistry & geophysics, 01 natural sciences, Helicity, Geophysics, Quantum electrodynamics, Physics::Space Physics, General Earth and Planetary Sciences, Magnetopause, Flux transfer event, Astrophysics::Solar and Stellar Astrophysics, Astrophysics::Earth and Planetary Astrophysics, Transient (oscillation), Interplanetary magnetic field, 0105 earth and related environmental sciences, Sign (mathematics)
Abstract

International audience; Flux transfer events (FTEs) are transient phenomena produced by magnetic reconnection at the dayside magnetopause typically under southward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) conditions. They are usually thought of as magnetic flux ropes with helical structures forming through patchy, unsteady or multiple X-line reconnection. While the IMF often has a non-zero B_Y component, its impacts on the FTE flux rope helicity remain unknown. We survey Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) observations of FTE flux ropes during years 2015–2017 and investigate the solar wind conditions prior to the events. By fitting a force-free flux rope model, we select 84 events with good fits and obtain the helicity sign (i.e., handedness) of the flux ropes. We find that positive (negative) helicity flux ropes are mainly preceded by positive (negative) B_Y component. This finding is compatible with flux ropes formed through a multiple X-lines mechanism.

Published
2021
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7. Magnetic Reconnection Inside a Flux Transfer Event‐Like Structure in Magnetopause Kelvin‐Helmholtz Waves

Author

Thomas E. Moore, W. R. Paterson, N. Fargette, Craig J. Pollock, Emmanuel Penou, John C. Dorelli, Tai Phan, Christian Jacquey, Levon A. Avanov, Benoit Lavraud, A. C. Rager, Barbara L. Giles, Vincent Génot, Yoshitaka Saito, James L. Burch, K. Malakit, Claire Foullon, S. Fadanelli, K. J. Hwang, Y Vernisse, Hiroshi Hasegawa, David Ruffolo, C. Schiff, Daniel J. Gershman, Sergio Toledo-Redondo, M. Oieroset, R. Kieokaew, J. A. Sauvaud, Institut de recherche en astrophysique et planétologie (IRAP), Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Université de Toulouse (UT)-Université de Toulouse (UT)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées (OMP), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Université de Toulouse (UT)-Université de Toulouse (UT)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Météo-France -Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Météo-France -Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), University of Warwick [Coventry], Space Sciences Laboratory [Berkeley] (SSL), University of California [Berkeley] (UC Berkeley), University of California (UC)-University of California (UC), Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency [Sagamihara] (JAXA), NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), Space Science Division [San Antonio], Southwest Research Institute [San Antonio] (SwRI), NASA Headquarters, Catholic University of America, Hokkaido University [Sapporo, Japan], Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille - Luminy (CIML), Aix Marseille Université (AMU)-Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées (OMP), Météo France-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Météo France-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), University of California [Berkeley], University of California-University of California, and Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Aix Marseille Université (AMU)

Subjects
Physics, 010504 meteorology & atmospheric sciences, [SDU.ASTR.EP]Sciences of the Universe [physics]/Astrophysics [astro-ph]/Earth and Planetary Astrophysics [astro-ph.EP], Magnetic reconnection, Plasma, 01 natural sciences, Computational physics, symbols.namesake, Solar wind, Geophysics, Physics::Plasma Physics, Space and Planetary Science, Helmholtz free energy, Physics::Space Physics, symbols, Astrophysics::Solar and Stellar Astrophysics, Magnetopause, Flux transfer event, Physics::Atmospheric and Oceanic Physics, ComputingMilieux_MISCELLANEOUS, 0105 earth and related environmental sciences
Abstract

Magnetopause Kelvin-Helmholtz (KH) waves are believed to mediate solar wind plasma transport via small-scale mechanisms. Vortex-induced reconnection (VIR) was predicted in simulations and recently ...

Published
2020
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8. The Heliospheric Current Sheet and Plasma Sheet during Parker Solar Probe's First Orbit

Author

Jasper Halekas, N.-E. Raouafi, T. Dudok de Wit, Roberto Livi, Peter Harvey, A. Kouloumvakos, Robert J. MacDowall, Victor Réville, Benoit Lavraud, Milan Maksimovic, Michael Lavarra, Marc Pulupa, Teresa Nieves-Chinchilla, T. D. Phan, Léa Griton, Phyllis Whittlesey, Adam Szabo, Rui F. Pinto, A. P. Rouillard, N. Fargette, John W. Bonnell, Kelly E. Korreck, Nicolas Poirier, Jia Huang, R. Kieokaew, M. Berthomier, Sergio Toledo-Redondo, Anthony W. Case, Katja Klein, David M. Malaspina, Stuart D. Bale, Justin C. Kasper, Davin Larson, Philippe Louarn, Michael L. Stevens, Nicholeen M. Viall, Keith Goetz, Jonathan Eastwood, Vincent Génot, Centre d'étude spatiale des rayonnements (CESR), Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées (OMP), Météo France-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Météo France-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées, Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA), GSFC Laboratory for Extraterrestrial Physics, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), School of Physics and Astronomy [Southampton], University of Southampton, Centre de physique moléculaire optique et hertzienne (CPMOH), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université Sciences et Technologies - Bordeaux 1, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA), Harvard University [Cambridge]-Smithsonian Institution, University of California [Berkeley], University of California, Space Sciences Laboratory [Berkeley] (SSL), University of California-University of California, Institut de recherche en astrophysique et planétologie (IRAP), Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées (OMP), Météo France-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Météo France-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), School of Physics and Astronomy [Minneapolis], University of Minnesota [Twin Cities] (UMN), University of Minnesota System-University of Minnesota System, Laboratoire d'études spatiales et d'instrumentation en astrophysique (LESIA (UMR_8109)), Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Observatoire de Paris, Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Sorbonne Université (SU)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université de Paris (UP), Department of Physics and Astronomy [Iowa City], University of Iowa [Iowa City], Groupement de Recherche et d'Etudes en Gestion à HEC (GREGH), Ecole des Hautes Etudes Commerciales (HEC Paris)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Centre de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie (U1064 Inserm - CRTI), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM)-Université de Nantes - UFR de Médecine et des Techniques Médicales (UFR MEDECINE), Université de Nantes (UN)-Université de Nantes (UN), Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), European Space Agency (ESA), Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Université de Toulouse (UT)-Université de Toulouse (UT)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées (OMP), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Université de Toulouse (UT)-Université de Toulouse (UT)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Météo-France -Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Météo-France -Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université Sciences et Technologies - Bordeaux 1 (UB)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Harvard University-Smithsonian Institution, University of California [Berkeley] (UC Berkeley), University of California (UC), University of California (UC)-University of California (UC), Laboratoire d'études spatiales et d'instrumentation en astrophysique = Laboratory of Space Studies and Instrumentation in Astrophysics (LESIA), Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Sorbonne Université (SU)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université Paris Cité (UPCité), National Research Council of Italy | Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Agence Spatiale Européenne = European Space Agency (ESA), and Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)

Subjects
010504 meteorology & atmospheric sciences, INTERPLANETARY MAGNETIC-FIELD, Astrophysics, Astronomy & Astrophysics, 01 natural sciences, Plasma jets, Heliosphere, RECONNECTION, 0201 Astronomical and Space Sciences, 0103 physical sciences, Astrophysics::Solar and Stellar Astrophysics, Pitch angle, Interplanetary magnetic field, 010303 astronomy & astrophysics, Solar coronal streamers, 0105 earth and related environmental sciences, Physics, DENSITY STRUCTURES, Science & Technology, ORIGIN, [SDU.ASTR.SR]Sciences of the Universe [physics]/Astrophysics [astro-ph]/Solar and Stellar Astrophysics [astro-ph.SR], SUN, Plasma sheet, Astronomy and Astrophysics, Magnetic reconnection, WIND, Helmet streamer, Solar magnetic reconnection, Strahl, Space and Planetary Science, Physical Sciences, Physics::Space Physics, Space plasmas, Slow solar wind, Heliospheric current sheet, Solar coronal transients
Abstract

International audience; We present Heliospheric Current Sheet (HCS) and Plasma Sheet (HPS) observations during Parker Solar Probe's (PSP) first orbit around the Sun. We focus on the eight intervals that display a true sector boundary (TSB; based on suprathermal electron pitch angle distributions) with one or several associated current sheets. The analysis shows that (1) the main density enhancements in the vicinity of the TSB and HCS are typically associated with electron strahl dropouts, implying magnetic disconnection from the Sun, (2) the density enhancements are just about twice that in the surrounding regions, suggesting mixing of plasmas from each side of the HCS, (3) the velocity changes at the main boundaries are either correlated or anticorrelated with magnetic field changes, consistent with magnetic reconnection, (4) there often exists a layer of disconnected magnetic field just outside the high-density regions, in agreement with a reconnected topology, (5) while a few cases consist of short-lived density and velocity changes, compatible with short-duration reconnection exhausts, most events are much longer and show the presence of flux ropes interleaved with higher-β regions. These findings are consistent with the transient release of density blobs and flux ropes through sequential magnetic reconnection at the tip of the helmet streamer. The data also demonstrate that, at least during PSP's first orbit, the only structure that may be defined as the HPS is the density structure that results from magnetic reconnection, and its by-products, likely released near the tip of the helmet streamer.

Published
2020
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9. On the Ubiquity of Magnetic Reconnection Inside Flux Transfer Event‐Like Structures at the Earth's Magnetopause

Author

Michael O. Chandler, Elena Grigorenko, S. M. Petrinec, Hiroshi Hasegawa, Charlie J. Farrugia, Victoria N. Coffey, W. R. Paterson, C. Schiff, John C. Dorelli, Thomas E. Moore, Marit Øieroset, S. Fadanelli, K. J. Trattner, Sergio Toledo-Redondo, Jonathan Eastwood, S. A. Fuselier, T. D. Phan, C. J. Pollock, J. A. Sauvaud, Benoit Lavraud, Yoshitaka Saito, Q. Lenouvel, C. Jacquey, Philippe Garnier, James L. Burch, D. J. Gershman, R. Kieokaew, N. Fargette, D. L. A. Avanov, S. E. Smith, Vincent Génot, Emmanuel Penou, Barbara L. Giles, Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), Institut de recherche en astrophysique et planétologie (IRAP), Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées (OMP), Météo France-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Météo France-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Space Sciences Laboratory [Berkeley] (SSL), University of California [Berkeley], University of California-University of California, Centre de physique moléculaire optique et hertzienne (CPMOH), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université Sciences et Technologies - Bordeaux 1, Space Science Division [San Antonio], Southwest Research Institute [San Antonio] (SwRI), Lockheed Martin Advanced Technology Center (ATC), Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency [Sagamihara] (JAXA), Laboratoire de microbiologie et génétique moléculaires (LMGM), Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Assistance publique - Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP) (AP-HP)-Hôpital Henri Mondor-Université Paris-Est Créteil Val-de-Marne - Paris 12 (UPEC UP12), NASA Headquarters, Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IKI), Russian Academy of Sciences [Moscow] (RAS), Hokkaido University [Sapporo, Japan], Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille - Luminy (CIML), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Aix Marseille Université (AMU), Joint Global Change Research Institute, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL)-University of Maryland [College Park], University of Maryland System-University of Maryland System, Université de Toulouse (UT)-Université de Toulouse (UT)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées (OMP), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Université de Toulouse (UT)-Université de Toulouse (UT)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Météo-France -Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Météo-France -Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), University of California [Berkeley] (UC Berkeley), University of California (UC)-University of California (UC), Université Sciences et Technologies - Bordeaux 1 (UB)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Laboratoire de microbiologie et génétique moléculaires - UMR5100 (LMGM), Université de Toulouse (UT)-Université de Toulouse (UT)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Université de Toulouse (UT)-Université de Toulouse (UT)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Aix Marseille Université (AMU)-Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées (OMP), Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Météo-France -Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Météo-France -Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université Sciences et Technologies - Bordeaux 1-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), and Génot, Vincent

Subjects
Physics, 010504 meteorology & atmospheric sciences, [SDU.ASTR.EP]Sciences of the Universe [physics]/Astrophysics [astro-ph]/Earth and Planetary Astrophysics [astro-ph.EP], [SDU.ASTR.EP] Sciences of the Universe [physics]/Astrophysics [astro-ph]/Earth and Planetary Astrophysics [astro-ph.EP], Magnetic reconnection, Geophysics, 01 natural sciences, Physics::Space Physics, 0103 physical sciences, Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences, General Earth and Planetary Sciences, Magnetopause, Flux transfer event, 010303 astronomy & astrophysics, ComputingMilieux_MISCELLANEOUS, Earth (classical element), 0105 earth and related environmental sciences
Abstract

Flux transfer events (FTEs) are transient phenomena frequently observed at the Earth's magnetopause. Their usual interpretation is a flux rope moving away from the reconnection region. However, the Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission revealed that magnetic reconnection sometimes occurs inside these structures, questioning their flux rope configuration. Here we investigate 229 FTE‐type structures and find reconnection signatures inside 19% of them. We analyze their large‐scale magnetic topology using electron heat flux and find that it is significantly different across the FTE reconnecting current sheets, demonstrating that they are constituted of two magnetically disconnected structures. We also find that the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) associated with reconnecting FTEs presents a strong By component. We discuss several formation mechanisms to explain these observations. In particular, the maximum magnetic shear model predicts that for large IMF By, two spatially distinct X lines coexist at the magnetopause. They can generate separate magnetic flux tubes that may become interlaced.

Published
2020
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10. Solar Orbiter observations of the Kelvin-Helmholtz waves in the solar wind

Author

Y. Yang, David Ruffolo, Julia E. Stawarz, N. Fargette, William H. Matthaeus, Andrei Fedorov, Vincent Génot, Helen O'Brien, P. Louarn, Christopher J. Owen, R. Kieokaew, A. P. Rouillard, Claire Foullon, S. Aizawa, Vincent Evans, V. Angelini, Emmanuel Penou, Timothy S. Horbury, Rui Pinto, Benoit Lavraud, Institut de recherche en astrophysique et planétologie (IRAP), Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées (OMP), Météo France-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Météo France-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Harvard University [Cambridge], University of Warwick [Coventry], Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Université de Toulouse (UT)-Université de Toulouse (UT)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées (OMP), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Université de Toulouse (UT)-Université de Toulouse (UT)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Météo-France -Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Météo-France -Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Harvard University, Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), and The Royal Society

Subjects
astro-ph.SR, TANGENTIAL DISCONTINUITIES, 010504 meteorology & atmospheric sciences, INSTABILITY, MAGNETOPAUSE, SURFACE-WAVES, Astrophysics, Astronomy & Astrophysics, magnetohydrodynamics (MHD), 01 natural sciences, methods, law.invention, Orbiter, symbols.namesake, law, physics.plasm-ph, RECONNECTION, 0201 Astronomical and Space Sciences, 0103 physical sciences, Astrophysics::Solar and Stellar Astrophysics, observational, Sun: heliosphere, 010303 astronomy & astrophysics, 0105 earth and related environmental sciences, Physics, Science & Technology, PLASMA, Computer Science::Information Retrieval, Sun, heliosphere, Astronomy, Astronomy and Astrophysics, MAGNETIC SHEAR, CURRENT SHEETS, plasmas, Solar wind, solar wind, physics.space-ph, instabilities, 13. Climate action, Space and Planetary Science, Helmholtz free energy, Physical Sciences, DIRECTIONAL DISCONTINUITIES, Physics::Space Physics, symbols, TURBULENCE, methods: observational, [PHYS.ASTR]Physics [physics]/Astrophysics [astro-ph]
Abstract

Context.The Kelvin-HeImholtz (KH) instability is a nonlinear shear-driven instability that develops at the interface between shear flows in plasmas. KH waves have been inferred in various astrophysical plasmas, and have been observed in situ at the magnetospheric boundaries of solar-system planets and through remote sensing at the boundaries of coronal mass ejections.Aims.KH waves are also expected to develop at flow shear interfaces in the solar wind. While they were hypothesized to play an important role in the mixing of plasmas and in triggering solar wind fluctuations, their direct and unambiguous observation in the solar wind was still lacking.Methods.We report in situ observations of quasi-periodic magnetic and velocity field variations plausibly associated with KH waves using Solar Orbiter during its cruise phase. They are found in a shear layer in the slow solar wind in the close vicinity of the heliospheric current sheet. An analysis was performed to derive the local configuration of the waves. A 2D magnetohydrodynamics simulation was also set up with approximate empirical values to test the stability of the shear layer. In addition, magnetic spectra of the event were analyzed.Results.We find that the observed conditions satisfy the KH instability onset criterion from the linear theory analysis, and its development is further confirmed by the simulation. The current sheet geometry analyses are found to be consistent with KH wave development, albeit with some limitations likely owing to the complex 3D nature of the event and solar wind propagation. Additionally, we report observations of an ion jet consistent with magnetic reconnection at a compressed current sheet within the KH wave interval. The KH activity is found to excite magnetic and velocity fluctuations with power law scalings that approximately followk−5/3andk−2.8in the inertial and dissipation ranges, respectively. Finally, we discuss reasons for the lack of in situ KH wave detection in past data.Conclusions.These observations provide robust evidence of KH wave development in the solar wind. This sheds new light on the process of shear-driven turbulence as mediated by the KH waves with implications for the driving of solar wind fluctuations.

Published
2021
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11. Magnetic increases with central current sheets: observations with Parker Solar Probe

Author

T. D. Phan, Stuart D. Bale, Davin Larson, John W. Bonnell, Jasper Halekas, Michael L. Stevens, Matthieu Berthomier, David M. Malaspina, Marit Øieroset, Jonathan Eastwood, Peter Harvey, Benoit Lavraud, Marc Pulupa, A. P. Rouillard, N. Fargette, Kelly E. Korreck, Phyllis Whittlesey, Keith Goetz, Justin C. Kasper, Philippe Louarn, A. W. Case, Robert J. MacDowall, T. Dudok de Wit, Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), Institut de recherche en astrophysique et planétologie (IRAP), Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées (OMP), Météo France-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Météo France-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Department of Physics [Imperial College London], Imperial College London, Space Sciences Laboratory [Berkeley] (SSL), University of California [Berkeley], University of California-University of California, Department of Physics and Astronomy [Iowa City], University of Iowa [Iowa City], Department of Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering (CLaSP), University of Michigan [Ann Arbor], University of Michigan System-University of Michigan System, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Smithsonian Institution, University of Colorado [Boulder], GSFC Solar System Exploration Division, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), School of Physics and Astronomy [Minneapolis], University of Minnesota [Twin Cities] (UMN), University of Minnesota System-University of Minnesota System, Laboratoire de Physique et Chimie de l'Environnement et de l'Espace (LPC2E), Observatoire des Sciences de l'Univers en région Centre (OSUC), Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université d'Orléans (UO)-Observatoire de Paris, Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université d'Orléans (UO)-Observatoire de Paris, Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Centre National d’Études Spatiales [Paris] (CNES), Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Université de Toulouse (UT)-Université de Toulouse (UT)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées (OMP), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Université de Toulouse (UT)-Université de Toulouse (UT)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Météo-France -Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Météo-France -Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), University of California [Berkeley] (UC Berkeley), University of California (UC)-University of California (UC), Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Observatoire de Paris, Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université d'Orléans (UO)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Observatoire de Paris, and Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université d'Orléans (UO)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Centre National d’Études Spatiales [Paris] (CNES)

Subjects
Physics, 010504 meteorology & atmospheric sciences, Astronomy and Astrophysics, Magnetic reconnection, Astrophysics, Astronomy & Astrophysics, 01 natural sciences, Magnetic field, Strahl, Current sheet, Solar wind, 13. Climate action, Space and Planetary Science, Physics::Space Physics, 0201 Astronomical and Space Sciences, 0103 physical sciences, Astrophysics::Solar and Stellar Astrophysics, Magnetopause, Heliospheric current sheet, [PHYS.ASTR]Physics [physics]/Astrophysics [astro-ph], Interplanetary spaceflight, 010303 astronomy & astrophysics, 0105 earth and related environmental sciences
Abstract

Aims.We report the observation by Parker Solar Probe (PSP) of magnetic structures in the solar wind that present a strong peak in their magnetic field magnitude with an embedded central current sheet. Similar structures have been observed, either at the Earth’s magnetopause and called interlinked flux tubes, or in the solar wind and called interplanetary field enhancements.Methods.In this work, we first investigate two striking events in detail; one occurred in the regular slow solar wind on November 2, 2018 and the other was observed during a heliospheric current sheet crossing on November 13, 2018. They both show the presence of a central current sheet with a visible ion jet and general characteristics consistent with the occurrence of magnetic reconnection. We then performed a survey of PSP data from encounters 1 to 4 and find 18 additional events presenting an increase in the magnetic field magnitude of over 30% and a central current sheet. We performed a statistical study on the 20 “magnetic increases with central current sheet” (MICCS), with 13 observed in the regular slow solar wind with a constant polarity (i.e., identical strahl direction), and 7 which were specifically observed near a heliospheric current sheet crossing.Results.We analyze and discuss the general properties of the structures, including the duration, location, amplitude, and magnetic topology, as well as the characteristics of their central current sheet. We find that the latter has a preferential orientation in the TN plane of the RTN frame. We also find no significant change in the dust impact rate in the vicinity of the MICCS under study, leading us to conclude that dust probably plays no role in the MICCS formation and evolution. Our findings are overall consistent with a double flux tube-configuration that would result from initially distinct flux tubes which interact during solar wind propagation.

Published
2021
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