Magnetic reconnection as a mechanism to produce multiple protonpopulations and beams locally in the solar wind
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Context. Spacecraft observations early revealed frequent multiple proton
populations in the solar wind. Decades of research on their origin have focused
on processes such as magnetic reconnection in the low corona and wave-particle
interactions in the corona and locally in the solar wind.Aims.This study aims
to highlight that multiple proton populations and beams are also produced by
magnetic reconnection occurring locally in the solar wind. Methods. We use high
resolution Solar Orbiter proton velocity distribution function measurements,
complemented by electron and magnetic field data, to analyze the association of
multiple proton populations and beams with magnetic reconnection during a
period of slow Alfv\'enic solar wind on 16 July 2020. Results. At least 6
reconnecting current sheets with associated multiple proton populations and
beams, including a case of magnetic reconnection at a switchback boundary, are
found during this day. This represents 2% of the measured distribution
functions. We discuss how this proportion may be underestimated, and how it may
depend on solar wind type and distance from the Sun. Conclusions. Although
suggesting a likely small contribution, but which remains to be quantitatively
assessed, Solar Orbiter observations show that magnetic reconnection must be
considered as one of the mechanisms that produce multiple proton populations
and beams locally in the solar wind.
populations in the solar wind. Decades of research on their origin have focused
on processes such as magnetic reconnection in the low corona and wave-particle
interactions in the corona and locally in the solar wind.Aims.This study aims
to highlight that multiple proton populations and beams are also produced by
magnetic reconnection occurring locally in the solar wind. Methods. We use high
resolution Solar Orbiter proton velocity distribution function measurements,
complemented by electron and magnetic field data, to analyze the association of
multiple proton populations and beams with magnetic reconnection during a
period of slow Alfv\'enic solar wind on 16 July 2020. Results. At least 6
reconnecting current sheets with associated multiple proton populations and
beams, including a case of magnetic reconnection at a switchback boundary, are
found during this day. This represents 2% of the measured distribution
functions. We discuss how this proportion may be underestimated, and how it may
depend on solar wind type and distance from the Sun. Conclusions. Although
suggesting a likely small contribution, but which remains to be quantitatively
assessed, Solar Orbiter observations show that magnetic reconnection must be
considered as one of the mechanisms that produce multiple proton populations
and beams locally in the solar wind.
Date Issued
2021-12-14
Date Acceptance
2021-09-18
Citation
Journal of Astrophysics and Astronomy, 2021, 656 (A37), pp.1-8
ISSN
0250-6335
Publisher
Indian Academy of Sciences
Start Page
1
End Page
8
Journal / Book Title
Journal of Astrophysics and Astronomy
Volume
656
Issue
A37
Copyright Statement
© B. Lavraud et al. 2021. Open Access article, published by EDP Sciences, under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0),
which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
License URL
Sponsor
Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
The Royal Society
Identifier
http://arxiv.org/abs/2109.11232v1
Grant Number
ST/S000364/1
URF\R1\201286
Subjects
astro-ph.SR
astro-ph.SR
physics.space-ph
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2021-12-14