Lavraud, B;
Kieokaew, R;
Fargette, N;
Louarn, P;
Fedorov, A;
André, N;
Fruit, G;
... O'brien, H; + view all
(2021)
Magnetic reconnection as a mechanism to produce multiple protonpopulations and beams locally in the solar wind.
Astronomy & Astrophysics
, 656
, Article A37. 10.1051/0004-6361/202141149.
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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.
| Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Title: | Magnetic reconnection as a mechanism to produce multiple protonpopulations and beams locally in the solar wind |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| DOI: | 10.1051/0004-6361/202141149 |
| Publisher version: | https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202141149 |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | This version is the version of record. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher's terms and conditions. |
| UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Maths and Physical Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Maths and Physical Sciences > Dept of Space and Climate Physics |
| URI: | https://discovery-pp.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10135082 |
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