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Sunward Strahl in Rapid Magnetic Field Reversals: Solar Connectivity and Magnetic Topology During Switchbacks in Parker Solar Probe's Early Encounters

Authors :
Whittlesey, P. L.
Larson, D. E.
Kasper, J. C.
Bale, S. D.
Bonnell, J. W.
Case, A. W.
Dudok de Wit, Thierry
Goetz, K.
Harvey, P.
Korreck, K. E.
Livi, R.
Malaspina, D.
Macdowall, R. J.
Pulupa, M.
Stevens, M. L.
Verniero, J.
POTHIER, Nathalie
Publication Year :
2019
Publisher :
HAL CCSD, 2019.

Abstract

The SWEAP/SPAN-Electron sensors on Parker Solar Probe (PSP) measure the 3D distributions of solar wind electrons, including total flux, velocity, and temperature, in the inner heliosphere. Strahl electrons, which are the high energy, beam-like component of the solar wind electron population, flow outward from the sun along magnetic field lines, and thus serve as excellent tracers of magnetic topology and magnetic solar connectivity. Comparing strahl electron pitch angle distributions (PADs) to PSP/FIELDS magnetic field data, we find that, during the numerous intervals in PSP's first and second encounters where the sense of the magnetic field briefly reverses, the strahl electrons likewise reverse direction and briefly flow sunward. The strahl PADs, in agreement with measurements from the Solar Probe Cup (SPC) and SPAN-Ion instruments, therefore indicate that these intervals, termed "switchbacks", are likely not related to large-scale solar magnetic field polarity reversals, but are kinks in the magnetic field originating elsewhere and propagating outward from the sun. This work also characterizes the strahl electron population during switchback intervals compared to non-switchback periods.

Details

Language :
English
Database :
OpenAIRE
Accession number :
edsair.od.......166..ac037bceeba6bec1d09994c02f7f82b7