Causal spatio-temporal correlations of short scale length solar wind acceleration and heating mechanisms with a Solar Event Correlation Analyzer

Abstract

It is generally agreed that the primary scientific goal of the first near Sun fly-by mission is to identify the source of momentum responsible for driving the solar wind and to understand the physics of solar coronal heating. In this paper, we present an innovative concept for obtaining a unique set of data with which to better understand the physics of solar wind acceleration and coronal heating. The instrument, called the Solar Event Correlation Analyzer (SECA), operates on the principle that the topology of the open magnetic field lines can be used to causally correlate the evolution of small scale structures (events) in the Sun’s transition region with in situ solar probe measurements. These small-scale events are generally viewed as the mechanisms providing energy and momentum for the solar corona and wind, an assumption that will be conclusively tested with the SECA instrument. This paper describes the SECA concept and its scientific justification.