Three‐dimensional coronal density structure: 1. Model

Abstract

The three‐dimensional (3‐D) density structure of the solar corona is a fundamental boundary condition on the solar wind. Most easily applied models of the global coronal density have been restricted to date to axisymmetric 2‐D cases. We present here a 3‐D model made up of a superposition of multiple streamers, having distinct gaussian widths in longitude and latitude and both longitudinal and latitudinal dependence of the neutral lines implicit beneath the streamer cores. Nonradiality of streamers and solar B‐angle tilt are also explicitly treated. We show how this simple model can capture many of the general properties of coronal white light observations and demonstrate how such a model can assist in the interpretation of the multiple views on coronal structures such as will be provided by the upcoming STEREO mission.