High-speed Solar Wind Streams Research Articles

Statistic study of the geoeffectiveness of compression regions CIRs and Sheaths

We statistically study the geoeffectiveness of two types of compression regions: corotating interaction regions (CIRs) before the solar wind high-speed streams (HSSs) from the coronal holes and Sheaths before the fast interplanetary CMEs (ICMEs) including flux-rope magnetic clouds (MCs) and non-MC Ejecta using the OMNI dataset (http://omniweb.gsfc.nasa.gov (King and Papitashvili, 2004)) and our Catalog of large-scale solar wind phenomena for 1976–2000 (ftp://ftp.iki.rssi.ru/pub/omni/(Yermolaev et al., 2009)). Our analysis shows that the magnitude of the interplanetary magnetic field B in CIRs and Sheaths increases with increasing speed of both types of pistons: HSS and ICME; the increase of the piston speed results in the increase of geoeffectiveness of both compression regions. The value B in Sheaths before Ejecta is higher than B in Ejecta. The value B in Sheaths before MCs in the beginning of phenomena interval is lower than in MCs but in the end of interval it is close to B in MCs. The contribution of Sheath in storm generation can be significant for so-called "CME-induced" storms and Sheath-induced storms should be identified and analyzed separately.

Influence of coronal mass ejections on parameters of high-speed solar wind: a case study

We investigate the case of disagreement between predicted and observed in-situ parameters of the recurrent high-speed solar wind streams (HSSs) existing for Carrington rotation (CR) 2118 (December 2011) in comparison with CRs 2117 and 2119. The HSSs originated at the Sun from a recurrent polar coronal hole (CH) expanding to mid-latitudes, and its area in the central part of the solar disk increased with the rotation number. This part of the CH was responsible for the equatorial flank of the HSS directed to the Earth. The time and speed of arrival for this part of the HSS to the Earth were predicted by the hierarchical empirical model based on EUV-imaging and the Wang-Sheeley-Arge ENLIL semi-empirical replace model and compared with the parameters measured in-situ by model. The predicted parameters were compared with those measured in-situ. It was found, that for CR 2117 and CR 2119, the predicted HSS speed values agreed with the measured ones within the typical accuracy of ±100 km s−1. During CR 2118, the measured speed was on 217 km s−1 less than the value predicted in accordance with the increased area of the CH. We suppose that at CR 2118, the HSS overtook and interacted with complex ejecta formed from three merged coronal mass ejections (CMEs) with a mean speed about 400 km s−1. According to simulations of the Drag-based model, this complex ejecta might be created by several CMEs starting from the Sun in the period between 25 and 27 December 2011 and arriving to the Earth simultaneously with the HSS. Due to its higher density and magnetic field strength, the complex ejecta became an obstacle for the equatorial flank of the HSS and slowed it down. During CR 2117 and CR 2119, the CMEs appeared before the arrival of the HSSs, so the CMEs did not influence on the HSSs kinematics.

Solar cycle by a look of high speed solar wind streams variation

In this paper are presented variation of the solar wind parameters during last four solar cycles (21-24) with focus on the high speed solar wind streams (HSS) condition. The averaged values of the parameters for every cycle are calculated and discussed. The results show that Earth is under the HSS influence more than 50% of the total time in each of the last four solar cycles. This fact determines the importance of the studding the behavior of the HSS.

Geomagnetic Field Disturbances Caused by Heliospheric Current Sheet Crossings

The heliospheric current sheet (HCS) is modified by the solar activity. HCS is highly inclined during solar maximum and almost confined with the solar equatorial plane during solar minimum. Close to the HCS solar wind parameters as proton temperature, flow speed, proton density, etc. differ compared to the region far from the HCS. The Earth’s magnetic dipole field crosses HCS several times each month. Considering interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICME) and high speed solar wind streams (HSS) free periods an investigation of the HCS influence on the geomagnetic field disturbances is presented. The results show a drop of the Dst index and a rise of the AE index at the time of the HCS crossings and also that the behavior of these indices does not depend on the magnetic polarity.

Association Between the Solar Wind Speed, Interplanetary Magnetic Field and the Cosmic Ray Intensity for Solar Cycles 23 and 24

The purpose of the present study is to investigate the association of the cosmic ray intensity (CRI) and interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) with high speed solar wind streams (HSSWS) and slow speed solar wind streams (SSSWS) for solar cycle \(-23\) and 24. We have found very interesting and adequate results where CRI provides inverse relationship with the above mentioned streams. Since the correlation coefficient in case of HSSWS is found to be high as compared to SSSWS, it implies that HSSWS are more competent parameters to produce decrease in CRI as compared to SSSWS. Overall analysis of our study shows that CRI, IMF and product of wind speed and IMF (V.B) are poorly correlated with each other for both solar cycles. The year 2016 showed remarkable behavior as there was a drastic increase in the values of interplanetary magnetic field in comparison to the previous years which caused the change in pattern of solar wind streams.

High‐speed solar wind stream effects on the topside ionosphere over Arecibo: A case study during solar minimum

AbstractThe impact of a high‐speed solar wind stream (HSS) on the topside near‐equatorial ionosphere (Arecibo: 28.17°N, L = 1.3) is investigated for the first time. Although the HSS did not lead to any significant geomagnetic storm activity, the ionosphere over Arecibo became hotter and expanded significantly in altitude as compared to a non‐HSS interval. The O+/H+ transition height hT increased by ~200 km in the daytime and by ~100 km at night. At the hT, the peak ionospheric electron and ion temperatures increased by ~200–500 K during day and by ~50–70 K at night. While the O+ ion concentration exhibited an overall enhancement, deep penetration of the H+ ions below hT are observed during the day. The noontime peak electron density was ~4 times higher during the HSS event compared to the non‐HSS interval. We present three possible mechanisms to explain this topside ionospheric heating.

Tropospheric weather influenced by solar wind through atmospheric vertical coupling downward control

Occurrence of severe weather in the context of solar wind coupling to the magnetosphere-ionosphere-atmosphere (MIA) system is investigated. It is observed that significant snowfall, wind and heavy rain, particularly if caused by low pressure systems in winter, tend to follow arrivals of high-speed solar wind. Previously published statistical evidence that explosive extratropical cyclones in the northern hemisphere tend to occur within a few days after arrivals of high-speed solar wind streams from coronal holes (Prikryl et al., 2009, 2016) is corroborated for the southern hemisphere. Cases of severe weather events are examined in the context of the magnetosphere-ionosphere-atmosphere (MIA) coupling. Physical mechanism to explain these observations is proposed. The leading edge of high-speed solar wind streams is a locus of large-amplitude magneto-hydrodynamic waves that modulate Joule heating and/or Lorentz forcing of the high-latitude lower thermosphere generating medium-scale atmospheric gravity waves that propagate upward and downward through the atmosphere. Simulations of gravity wave propagation in a model atmosphere using the Transfer Function Model (Mayr et al., 1990) reveal that propagating waves originating in the lower thermosphere can excite a spectrum of gravity waves in the lower atmosphere. In spite of significantly reduced amplitudes but subject to amplification upon reflection in the upper troposphere, these gravity waves can provide a lift of unstable air to release instabilities in the troposphere and initiate convection to form cloud/precipitation bands. It is primarily the energy provided by release of latent heat that leads to intensification of storms. These results indicate that vertical coupling in the atmosphere exerts downward control from solar wind to the lower atmospheric levels influencing tropospheric weather development.

Global geomagnetic responses to the IMF <i>B</i><sub>z</sub> fluctuations during the September/October 2003 high-speed stream intervals

Abstract. In this paper, we follow the coupling from the solar wind to the Earth's magnetotail, geosynchronous orbit, auroral zone and to the ground, during periods of Alfvénic fluctuations in high-speed solar wind streams (HSSs) and their corotating interaction regions (CIRs). We employ cross-wavelet analysis of magnetic field, particle flux and auroral electrojet (AE) index data for the HSSs of September and October 2003. Our results show a remarkably consistent periodic response among all of these regions and across multiple substorm indicators, indicating a possible driven substorm response of the global magnetosphere to the solar wind interplanetary structures. Across the seven intervals studied we find a range of periodic responses from 1.8 to 3.1 h, which is consistent with the 2.75 h peak of the Borovsky et al. (1993) statistical study of inter-substorm periods.

Passage of the high-speed solar wind streams, their plasma/field properties, and resulting geomagnetic disturbances

We study the geomagnetic disturbances and solar wind plasma/field properties during the passage of High Speed Solar Wind Streams (HSS) emanating from the sun. We consider the HSS detected during the period 1996–2011. For this study, we divided the geomagnetic disturbances that occurred during the passage of these HSS into four groups based on the level of geomagnetic activity. We analyze the solar plasma/field variations during the disturbances of different levels. We apply the method of the superposed epoch analysis to study the average behavior of geomagnetic disturbances and selected plasma/field parameters during the passage of HSS producing geomagnetic activity of different level. We also study the relation between the geomagnetic activity and solar plasma/field parameters during the passage of the HSS.

Centennial evolution of monthly solar wind speeds: Fastest monthly solar wind speeds from long‐duration coronal holes

AbstractHigh‐speed solar wind streams (HSSs) are very efficient drivers of geomagnetic activity at high latitudes. In this paper we use a recently developed ΔH parameter of geomagnetic activity, calculated from the nightside hourly magnetic field measurements of the Sodankylä observatory, as a proxy for solar wind (SW) speed at monthly time resolution in 1914–2014 (solar cycles 15–24). The seasonal variation in the relation between monthly ΔH and solar wind speed is taken into account by calculating separate regressions between ΔH and SW speed for each month. Thereby, we obtain a homogeneous series of proxy values for monthly solar wind speed for the last 100 years. We find that the strongest HSS‐active months of each solar cycle occur in the declining phase, in years 1919, 1930, 1941, 1952, 1959, 1973, 1982, 1994, and 2003. Practically all these years are the same or adjacent to the years of annual maximum solar wind speeds. This implies that the most persistent coronal holes, lasting for several solar rotations and leading to the highest annual SW speeds, are also the sources of the highest monthly SW speeds. Accordingly, during the last 100 years, there were no coronal holes of short duration (of about one solar rotation) that would produce faster monthly (or solar rotation) averaged solar wind than the most long‐living coronal holes in each solar cycle produce.

Hemispheric asymmetries in the ionosphere response observed during the high-speed solar wind streams of the 24–28 August 2010

This paper presents the geomagnetic and ionospheric responses to a high speed solar wind stream (HSS) impacting the magnetosphere on 24 August 2010. We focus our study on the interhemispheric conjugated behavior. The solar wind speed remained very high during 5days from 24 to 28 August 2010. By using magnetometer and ground-based GPS data from various approximately conjugated magnetic observatories and GPS stations, we studied the hemispheric asymmetries in the magnetic signature, Vertical Total Electron Content (VTEC) and scintillation activity during this HSS event. Geomagnetic activity reveals larger disturbances in amplitude in the Northern Hemisphere (NH) than in the southern Hemisphere (SH), and stronger asymmetries at higher latitudes, than at lower latitudes, between the conjugate observatories. VTEC variations reveal large increases in amplitude in the NH; while these effects are less pronounced in the SH. We investigate also the GPS scintillation activities occurring in the conjugated polar regions under HSSs conditions. At auroral latitudes, our results show a good correlation between the rate of VTEC index (ROTI) and auroral Al index, with more intense phase fluctuations in the NH.

Narrow-band emission with 0.5 to 3.5 Hz varying frequency in the background of the main phase of the 17 March 2013 magnetic storm

We present results of the analysis of an unusually long narrow-band emission in the Pc1 range with increasing carrier frequency. The event was observed against the background of the main phase of a strong magnetic storm caused by arrival of a high-speed solar wind stream with a shock wave in the stream head and a long interval of negative vertical component of the interplanetary magnetic field. Emission of approximately 9-hour duration had a local character, appearing only at three stations located in the range of geographical longitude λ=100–130 E and magnetic shells L=2.2–3.4. The signal carrier frequency grew in a stepped mode from 0.5 to 3.5 Hz. We propose an emission interpreta-tion based on the standard model of the generation of ion cyclotron waves in the magnetosphere due to the resonant wave-particle interaction with ion fluxes of moderate energies. We suppose that a continuous shift of the generation region, located in the outer area of the plasmasphere, to smaller L-shell is able to explain both the phenomenon locality and the range of the frequency increase. A narrow emission frequency band is associated with the formation of nose-like structures in the energy spectrum of ion fluxes penetrating from the geomagnetic tail into the magnetosphere. We offer a possible scenario of the processes leading to the generation of the observed emission. The scenario contains specific values of the generation region position, plasma density, magnetic field, and resonant proton energies. We discuss morphological differences of the emissions considered from known types of geomagnetic pulsations, and reasons for the occurrence of this unusual event.

Preconditioning of Interplanetary Space Due to Transient CME Disturbances

Abstract Interplanetary space is characteristically structured mainly by high-speed solar wind streams emanating from coronal holes and transient disturbances such as coronal mass ejections (CMEs). While high-speed solar wind streams pose a continuous outflow, CMEs abruptly disrupt the rather steady structure, causing large deviations from the quiet solar wind conditions. For the first time, we give a quantification of the duration of disturbed conditions (preconditioning) for interplanetary space caused by CMEs. To this aim, we investigate the plasma speed component of the solar wind and the impact of in situ detected interplanetary CMEs (ICMEs), compared to different background solar wind models (ESWF, WSA, persistence model) for the time range 2011–2015. We quantify in terms of standard error measures the deviations between modeled background solar wind speed and observed solar wind speed. Using the mean absolute error, we obtain an average deviation for quiet solar activity within a range of 75.1–83.1 km s−1. Compared to this baseline level, periods within the ICME interval showed an increase of 18%–32% above the expected background, and the period of two days after the ICME displayed an increase of 9%–24%. We obtain a total duration of enhanced deviations over about three and up to six days after the ICME start, which is much longer than the average duration of an ICME disturbance itself (∼1.3 days), concluding that interplanetary space needs ∼2–5 days to recover from the impact of ICMEs. The obtained results have strong implications for studying CME propagation behavior and also for space weather forecasting.

Possible causes of the discrepancy between the predicted and observed parameters of high-speed solar wind streams

We have considered the possible causes of discrepancies between the predicted and observed at 1 AU parameters of the recurrent solar wind (SW) streams in the maximum of the 24th solar cycle. These discrepancies have been observed in both the SW velocity profile and the SW stream arrival time, as well as in the absence of the expected high-speed SW stream. The degree of discrepancy depends on the model used for the SW prediction; however, in some cases, different prediction methods provide a similar discrepancy with the observed SW parameters at 1 AU. For several cases, we show that the probable cause of the discrepancies can be a deflection of the high-speed SW stream from the radial direction due to the interaction with the transient SW streams at certain configuration of the magnetic fields of high-speed and transient SW sources in the solar corona.

The response of the inner magnetosphere to the trailing edges of high‐speed solar‐wind streams

AbstractThe effects of the leading edge stream interface of high‐speed solar‐wind streams (HSSs) upon the Earth's magnetosphere have been extensively documented. The arrival of HSSs leads to significant changes in the plasmasphere, plasma sheet, ring current, and radiation belts, during the evolution from slow solar wind to persistent fast solar wind. Studies have also documented effects in the lower ionosphere and the neutral atmosphere. However, only cursory attention has been paid to the trailing‐edge stream interface during the transition back from fast solar wind to slow solar wind. Here we report on the statistical changes that occur in the plasmasphere, plasma sheet, ring current, and electron radiation belt during the passage of the trailing‐edge stream interface of HSSs, when the magnetosphere is in most respects in an extremely quiescent state. Counterintuitively, the peak flux of ~1 MeV electrons is observed to occur at this interface. In contrast, other regions of the magnetosphere demonstrate extremely quiet conditions. As with the leading‐edge stream interface, the occurrence of the trailing‐edge stream interface has a periodicity of 27 days, and hence, understanding the changes that occur in the magnetosphere during the passage of trailing edges of HSSs can lead to improved forecasting and predictability of the magnetosphere as a system.

Узкополосное излучение с изменяющейся от 0.5 до 3.5 Гц частотой на фоне главной фазы магнитной бури 17 марта 2013 г.

We present results of the analysis of an unusually long narrow-band emission in the Pc1 range with increasing carrier frequency. The event was observed against the background of the main phase of a strong magnetic storm caused by arrival of a high-speed solar wind stream with a shock wave in the stream head and a long interval of negative vertical component of the interplanetary magnetic field. Emission of approximately 9-hour duration had a local character, appearing only at three stations located in the range of geographical longitude λ=100–130 E and magnetic shells L=2.2–3.4. The signal carrier frequency grew in a stepped mode from 0.5 to 3.5 Hz. We propose an emission interpretation based on the standard model of the generation of ion cyclotron waves in the magnetosphere due to the resonant wave-particle interaction with ion fluxes of moderate energies. We suppose that a continuous shift of the generation region, located in the outer area of the plasmasphere, to smaller L-shell is able to explain both the phenomenon locality and the range of the frequency increase. A narrow emission frequency band is associated with the formation of nose-like structures in the energy spectrum of the ion fluxes penetrating from the geomagnetic tail into magnetosphere. We offer a possible speculative scenario of the processes leading to the generation of the observed emission. The scenario contains specific values of the generation region position, plasma density, magnetic field, and resonant proton energies. We discuss morphological differences of the emissions considered from known types of geomagnetic pulsations, and reasons for the occurrence of this unusual event.

Spectral analysis of auroral geomagnetic activity during various solar cycles between 1960 and 2014

Abstract. In this paper we use wavelets and Lomb–Scargle spectral analysis techniques to investigate the changing pattern of the different harmonics of the 27-day solar rotation period of the AE (auroral electrojet) index during various phases of different solar cycles between 1960 and 2014. Previous investigations have revealed that the solar minimum of cycles 23–24 exhibited strong 13.5- and 9.0-day recurrence in geomagnetic data in comparison to the usual dominant 27.0-day synodic solar rotation period. Daily mean AE indices are utilized to show how several harmonics of the 27-day recurrent period change during every solar cycle subject to a 95 % confidence rule by performing a wavelet analysis of each individual year's AE indices. Results show that particularly during the solar minimum of 23–24 during 2008 the 27-day period is no longer detectable above the 95 % confidence level. During this interval geomagnetic activity is now dominated by the second (13.5-day) and third (9.0-day) harmonics. A Pearson correlation analysis between AE and various spherical harmonic coefficients describing the solar magnetic field during each Carrington rotation period confirms that the solar dynamo has been dominated by an unusual combination of sectorial harmonic structure during 23–24, which can be responsible for the observed anomalously low solar activity. These findings clearly show that, during the unusual low-activity interval of 2008, auroral geomagnetic activity was predominantly driven by high-speed solar wind streams originating from multiple low-latitude coronal holes distributed at regular solar longitude intervals.

Distinct responses of the low‐latitude ionosphere to CME and HSSWS: The role of the IMF Bz oscillation frequency

AbstractIn this work an attempt to identify the role of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) in the response of the ionosphere to different solar phenomena is presented. For this purpose, the day‐to‐day variability of the equatorial ionospheric anomaly (EIA) and the main ionospheric disturbances are analyzed during one coronal mass ejection (CME) and two high‐speed solar wind streams (HSSWSs). The EIA parameters considered are the zonal electric field and both the strength and position of its northern crest. The disturbances being the prompt penetration of magnetospheric electric field (PPMEF) and disturbance dynamo electric field (DDEF) are studied using the magnetic response of their equivalent current systems. In accordance, ground‐based Global Navigation Satellite Systems receivers and magnetometers at geomagnetic low latitudes in the American sector are used. During both phenomena, patterns of PPMEF related to fluctuations of the IMF are observed. Diurnal and semidiurnal magnetic oscillations are found to be likely related to DDEF. Comparisons among the EIA parameters and the DDEF magnetic response exhibit poor relation during the CME in contrast to good relation during the HSSWSs. It is concluded that the response of the low‐latitude ionosphere to solar phenomena is largely determined through the oscillation frequency of the IMF Bz by affecting the generation of the PPMEF and DDEF differently. This is seen as an effect of how the energy from the solar wind is transferred into the magnetosphere‐ionosphere system.

The effect of solar wind high-speed streams on the galactic cosmic rays intensity

The effect of high-speed recurrent solar wind streams from coronal holes on the galactic cosmic rays intensity is investigated. The distribution of galactic cosmic rays for different solar cycles is considered based on the data of the world network of neutron monitors. Within the inhomogeneous model, which includes a homogeneous background and regions of high-speed streams (HSS’s), the transport equation has been solved and the effect of HSS’s on the spatial distribution of galactic cosmic rays is estimated. It is shown that theoretical calculations are agreed with the experimental results obtained for 2000–2014 under different assumptions about the mean free path of cosmic rays in the corresponding period of HSS’s.

Structure of High Latitude Currents in Magnetosphere-Ionosphere Models

Using three resolutions of the Lyon-Fedder-Mobarry global magnetosphere-ionosphere model (LFM) and the Weimer 2005 empirical model we examine the structure of the high latitude field-aligned current patterns. Each resolution was run for the entire Whole Heliosphere Interval which contained two high speed solar wind streams and modest interplanetary magnetic field strengths. Average states of the field-aligned current (FAC) patterns for 8 interplanetary magnetic field clock angle directions are computed using data from these runs. Generally speaking the patterns obtained agree well with results obtained from the Weimer 2005 computing using the solar wind and IMF conditions that correspond to each bin. As the simulation resolution increases the currents become more intense and narrow. A machine learning analysis of the FAC patterns shows that the ratio of Region 1 (R1) to Region 2 (R2) currents decreases as the simulation resolution increases. This brings the simulation results into better agreement with observational predictions and the Weimer 2005 model results. The increase in R2 current strengths also results in the cross polar cap potential (CPCP) pattern being concentrated in higher latitudes. Current-voltage relationships between the R1 and CPCP are quite similar at the higher resolution indicating the simulation is converging on a common solution. We conclude that LFM simulations are capable of reproducing the statistical features of FAC patterns.