Interpreting some properties of CIRs and their associated shocks during the last two solar minima using global MHD simulations
Por:
Riley P., Linker J.A., Esparza, JAG, Jian L.K., Russell C.T., Luhmann J.G.
Publicada:
1 jul 2012
Resumen:
In this study, we investigate some properties of corotating interaction regions (CIRs) during the recent solar minimum (December 2008), and compare them to CIRs observed during the previous minimum (September 1996). In particular, we focus on the orientation of stream interfaces (SIs), which separate wind that was originally slow and dense from wind that was originally fast and tenuous. We find that while the east-west flow deflections imply a systematic tilt of CIRs such that they are aligned with the nominal Parker spiral direction, the north-south flow deflections are much more irregular and show no discernible patterns. Comparison with global MHD model results suggest that this is a consequence of the spacecraft intercepting the equatorward flanks of the CIRs. We also study the solar-cycle variations of CIR-associated shocks over the last cycle, finding that forward (F) shocks tended to occur approximately three times more frequently than reverse (R) shocks, and, moreover, during t
Filiaciones:
Riley P.:
Predictive Science Inc., 9990 Mesa Rim Road, San Diego, CA, United States
Linker J.A.:
Predictive Science Inc., 9990 Mesa Rim Road, San Diego, CA, United States
Esparza, JAG:
Univ Nacl Autonoma Mexico, Inst Geofis, Unidad Michoacan, Mexico City 04510, DF, Mexico
Jian L.K.:
UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
Russell C.T.:
UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
Luhmann J.G.:
UCB, Berkeley, CA, United States
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