Foullon, C. (Claire), Lavraud, B., Wardle, N. C., Owen, C. J. (Christopher J.), Kucharek, H., Fazakerley, A. N., Larson, D. E. (Davin E.), Lucek, E., Luhmann, J. G., Opitz, A., Sauvaud, Jean-André and Skoug, R. M.. (2009) The apparent layered structure of the heliospheric current sheet : multi-spacecraft observations. Solar Physics, Vol.259 (No.1-2). pp. 389-416. ISSN 0038-0938

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Abstract

Multiple current sheet crossings are ubiquitous features of the solar wind associated with high-beta plasma sheets, notably during the passage of the heliospheric current sheet (HCS). As the HCS is being convected past near-Earth, we attempt to resolve spatial scales and temporal variations of the apparent layered structure of the HCS, including adjacent large scale field reversals. We use several spacecraft for good spatial and cross-scale coverage, spanning 550 R-E across and 900 R-E along the Sun -aEuro parts per thousand Earth line: STEREO, ACE and Cluster. The multi-spacecraft magnetic and plasma observations within the leading edge of the sector boundary are consistent with i) a broad multi-layered structure; ii) occasional non-planar structures and Alfv,nic fluctuations; iii) various stages of transient outflowing loops formed by interchange reconnection. By comparison of the observations at each spacecraft, we obtain a synthesis of the evolution between the patterns of loops, and hence of the transient outflow evolution along the sector boundary. In particular, we present circumstantial evidence that a heat flux dropout, traditionally signalling disconnection, can arise from interchange reconnection and scattering. Moreover, the inter-spacecraft comparison eliminates ambiguities between interpretations of electron counterstreaming. Overall, the sector boundary layer remains, locally, a steady structure as it is convected in the solar wind across a radial heliospheric distance of 560 -aEuro parts per thousand 580 R-E. However, non-planar structures on the Cluster spatial scale, as well as the variations in angular changes and transition durations on the broader scale, indicate that we are not following the evolution of single loops but more likely a bunch of loops with variable properties.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	Q Science > QB Astronomy
Divisions:	Faculty of Science > Physics
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Heliosphere, Solar wind
Journal or Publication Title:	Solar Physics
Publisher:	Springer Netherlands
ISSN:	0038-0938
Date:	October 2009
Volume:	Vol.259
Number:	No.1-2
Number of Pages:	28
Page Range:	pp. 389-416
Identification Number:	10.1007/s11207-009-9452-4
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	Published
Access rights to Published version:	Restricted or Subscription Access
Funder:	Science and Technology Facilities Council (Great Britain) (STFC), Nuffield Foundation
URI:	http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/id/eprint/17109

Data sourced from Thomson Reuters' Web of Knowledge

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