Near‐Earth Solar Wind: Plasma Characteristics From ARTEMIS Measurements

Abstract

AbstractThe interaction between the solar wind and Earth's magnetosphere is the main driver of magnetosphere dynamics because many important processes in Earth's inner and outer magnetosphere can be considered as responses to solar wind parameter variations. Therefore, accurate measurements of these parameters (density, velocity, ion, and electron temperature) in the near‐Earth solar wind is critical for understanding and forecasting magnetosphere dynamics. Moreover, the solar wind is a natural laboratory for investigation of plasma turbulence, including the configuration and dynamics of coherent plasma structures (such as large‐amplitude waves, discontinuities, and interplanetary shocks). A major solar wind parameter database, the OMNI database, consists of solar wind proton characteristics and magnetic field parameters but does not provide electron characteristics. We consider a supplementary solar wind data set compiled by observations of the two Acceleration, Reconnection, Turbulence and Electrodynamics of the Moon's Interaction with the Sun (ARTEMIS) probes. We compare characteristics available in both the ARTEMIS and OMNI data sets. We also describe characteristics of solar wind electron components measured by ARTEMIS (density, temperature, and anisotropy). Finally, we discuss opportunities for investigation of the near‐Earth solar wind provided by the ARTEMIS data set.