Multiscale views of an Alfvenic slow solar wind: 3D velocity distribution functions observed by the Proton-Alpha Sensor of Solar Orbiter

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F00216208%3A11320%2F21%3A10439898" target="_blank" >RIV/00216208:11320/21:10439898 - isvavai.cz</a>

Result on the web

<a href="https://verso.is.cuni.cz/pub/verso.fpl?fname=obd_publikace_handle&handle=sUsI0Vph8-" target="_blank" >https://verso.is.cuni.cz/pub/verso.fpl?fname=obd_publikace_handle&handle=sUsI0Vph8-</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202141095" target="_blank" >10.1051/0004-6361/202141095</a>

Result language

angličtina

Original language name

Multiscale views of an Alfvenic slow solar wind: 3D velocity distribution functions observed by the Proton-Alpha Sensor of Solar Orbiter

Original language description

Context. The Alfvenic slow solar wind is of particular interest, as it is often characterized by intense magnetic turbulence, complex proton 3D velocity distribution functions (VDF), and an ensuing richness of kinetic and dynamic processes. Aims. We take advantage of the fast time cadence of measurements taken by the Proton-Alpha Sensor (PAS) on board Solar Orbiter to analyze the kinetic properties of the proton population, the variability of their VDFs, and the possible link with propagating magnetic structures. We also study the magnetic (B) and velocity (V) correlation that characterizes this type of wind down to the ion gyroperiod. Methods. We analyzed the VDFs measured by PAS, a novelty that take advantages of the capability of 3D measurements at a 4 Hz cadence. In addition, we considered MAG observations. Results. We first show that there is a remarkable correlation between the B and V components observed down to timescales approaching the ion gyrofrequency. This concerns a wide variety of fluctuations, such as waves, isolated peaks, and discontinuities. The great variability of the proton VDFs is also documented. The juxtaposition of a core and a field-aligned beam is the norm but the relative density of the beam, drift speed, and temperatures can considerably change on scales as short as as a few seconds. The characteristics of the core are comparatively more stable. These variations in the beam characteristics mostly explain the variations in the total parallel temperature and, therefore, in the total anisotropy of the proton VDFs. Two magnetic structures that are associated with significant changes in the shape of VDFs, one corresponding to relaxation of total anisotropy and the other to its strong increase, are analyzed here. Our statistical analysis shows a clear link between total anisotropy (and, thus, beam characteristics) and the direction of B with respect to the Parker spiral. In the present case, flux tubes aligned with Parker spiral contain an average proton VDF with a much more developed beam (thus, with larger total anisotropy) than those that are inclined, perpendicular, or even reverse with regard to the outward direction. Conclusions. These observations document the variability of the proton VDF shape in relation to the propagation of magnetic structures. This is a key area of interest for understanding of the effect of turbulence on solar wind dynamics.

Czech name

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Czech description

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Type

J_imp - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database

CEP classification

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OECD FORD branch

10305 - Fluids and plasma physics (including surface physics)

Project

<a href="/en/project/GA19-18993S" target="_blank" >GA19-18993S: Transport of energy of solar wind variations from larger to smaller scales</a><br>

Continuities

P - Projekt vyzkumu a vyvoje financovany z verejnych zdroju (s odkazem do CEP)

Publication year

2021

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů

Name of the periodical

Astronomy &amp; Astrophysics

ISSN

0004-6361

e-ISSN

—

Volume of the periodical

656

Issue of the periodical within the volume

Dec

Country of publishing house

FR - FRANCE

Number of pages

10

Pages from-to

A36

UT code for WoS article

000730246400047

EID of the result in the Scopus database

2-s2.0-85121586724