Ion-scale solitary structures in the solar wind observed by Solar Orbiter and Parker Solar Probe
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
We investigate a class of ion-scale magnetic solitary structures in the solar wind, characterized by distinct magnetic field enhancements and bipolar rotations over spatial scales of several proton inertial lengths. These structures are revisited using high-resolution data from the Solar Orbiter and Parker Solar Probe missions. Using a machine learning-based method, we identified nearly a thousand such structures, providing new insights into their evolution and physical properties. Statistical analysis shows that these structures are more abundant closer to the Sun, with occurrence rates peaking around 30 - 40 Rsun and decreasing farther out. High-cadence measurements reveal that these structures are predominantly found in low-beta (beta <1) environments, with consistent fluctuations in density, velocity, and magnetic field. Magnetic field enhancements are often accompanied by plasma density drops, which, under near pressure balance, limit field increases. This leads to small fractional field enhancements near the Sun (approximately 0.01 at 20 Rsun), making detection challenging. Magnetic field variance analysis indicates that these structures are primarily oblique to the local magnetic field. Alfvénic velocity-magnetic field correlations suggest that most of these structures, unlike most near-Sun solar wind fluctuations, exhibit sunward-directed Alfvenic polarization in the plasma frame. We compare these findings with previous studies, discussing possible generation mechanisms and their implications for the turbulent cascade in the near-Sun Alfvénic solar wind. While these structures might be Alfvénic solitons, vortices, or flux ropes, we refrain from a definitive classification pending further evidence. Further high-resolution observations and simulations are needed to fully understand their origins and impacts.
Date Issued
2025-11-20
Date Acceptance
2025-10-22
Citation
Astrophysical Journal Letters, 2025, 994 (1)
ISSN
2041-8205
Publisher
IOP Publishing
Start Page
L19
End Page
L19
Journal / Book Title
Astrophysical Journal Letters
Volume
994
Issue
1
Copyright Statement
© 2025. The Author(s). Published by the American Astronomical Society. Original content from this work may be used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence. Any further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the title of the work, journal citation and DOI.
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
L19
Date Publish Online
2025-11-17