On the effect of transport coefficient anisotropy on the plasma flow in heliospheric interface

Abstract

The plasma flow in the heliospheric interface is considered. The applicability of hydrodynamic description for this flow is studied. The effect of the magnetic field on the transport properties in the interface plasma is discussed and the dimensionless parameters related to the plasma flow are estimated. It is found that both resistivity and Hall effect can be neglected in Ohm's law, so that the classical induction equation of the ideal magnetohydrodynamic can be used. The Reynolds number is moderately large, so the approximation of inviscid plasma is fairly good. The most important dissipative process is thermal conduction along the magnetic field lines. This effect has to be definitely taken into account. The results obtained in the paper are used to outline the ways for advancing the existing models of the heliospheric interface.