Signature of coronal holes and streamers in the interplanetary space

Abstract

The properties of different solar wind streams depend on the large scale structure of the coronal magnetic field. We present average values and distributions of bulk parameters (density, velocity, temperature, mass flux, momentum, and kinetic and thermal energy, ratio of thermal and magnetic pressure, as well as the helium abundance) as observed on board the Prognoz 7 satellite in different types of the solar wind streams. Maximum mass flux is recorded in the streams emanating from the coronal streamers while maximum thermal and kinetic energy fluxes are observed in the streams from the coronal holes. The momentum fluxes are equal in both types of streams. The maximum ratio of thermal and magnetic pressure is observed in heliospheric current sheet. The helium abundance in streams from coronal holes is higher than in streams from streamers, and its dependences on density and mass flux are different in different types of the streams. Also, the dynamics of α-particle velocity and temperature relative to protons in streams from coronal holes and streamers is discussed.