Interstellar Plasma Research Articles

Studies of cosmic plasma using radioastron VLBI observations of giant pulses of the pulsar B0531+21

The structure of the interstellar plasma in the direction of the pulsar in the Crab Nebula is studied using several sets of space-VLBI observations obtained with networks of ground telescopes and the RadioAstron space antenna at 18 and 92 cm. Six observing sessions spanning two years are analyzed. Giant pulses are used to probe the cosmic plasma, making it possible to measure the scattering parameters without averaging. More than 4000 giant pulses were detected. The interferometer responses (visibility functions) on ground and ground–space baselines are analyzed. On the ground baselines, the visibility function as a function of delay is dominated by a narrow feature at zero delay with a width of δτ ~ 1/B, where B is the receiver bandwidth. This is typical for compact continuum sources. On the ground–space baselines, the visibility function contains a set of features superposed on each other and distributed within a certain interval of delays, which we identify with the scattering time for the interfering rays τ. The amplitude of the visibility function on ground baselines falls with increasing baseline; the scattering disk is partially resolved at 18 cmand fully resolved at 92 cm. Estimates of the scattering angle ? give 0.5–1.3mas at 18 cm and 14.0 mas at 92 cm. The measured values of ? and τ are compared to estimate the distance from the source to the effective scattering screen, which is found at various epochs to be located at distances from 0.33 to 0.96 of the distance from the observer to the pulsar, about 2 kpc. The screen is close to the Crab Nebula at epochs of strong scattering, confirming that scattering on inhomogeneities in the plasma in the vicinity of the nebula itself dominates at these epochs.

Real-time detection of an extreme scattering event: Constraints on Galactic plasma lenses.

Extreme scattering events (ESEs) are distinctive fluctuations in the brightness of astronomical radio sources caused by occulting plasma lenses in the interstellar medium. The inferred plasma pressures of the lenses are ~10(3) times the ambient pressure, challenging our understanding of gas conditions in the Milky Way. Using a new survey technique, we discovered an ESE while it was in progress. Here we report radio and optical follow-up observations. Modeling of the radio data demonstrates that the lensing structure is a density enhancement and the lens is diverging, ruling out one of two competing physical models. Our technique will uncover many more ESEs, addressing a long-standing mystery of the small-scale gas structure of our Galaxy.

Identifying live radio scattering events

Radio Astronomy Radio emissions from distant quasars are occasionally modified for a few weeks by foreground interstellar plasma, in an extreme scattering event (ESE). Understanding this process has been difficult, because existing techniques do not allow events to be identified fast enough for follow-up before they finish. Bannister et al. developed a radio survey technique that allows ESEs to be identified in real time. After finding their first live ESE, they followed it up with additional radio and optical telescopes. The results constrain the size and density of the plasma and rule out one popular model of ESEs. Science , this issue p. [354][1] [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.aac7673

Radioastron: Main results of the implementation of the early science program in studies of astronomical objects in the universe with ultra-high angular resolution

The paper presents the main results of the implementation of the Radioastron Early Science Program. Interferometric responses (fringes) were obtained for all types of studied radio sources (quasars, pulsars and cosmic masers) and in all ranges of wavelengths (from meter to centimeter range) with large spaceground baselines. Such measurements have provided a record angular resolution, in some cases reaching several tens of microseconds of arc. This brings unique scientific results concerning the nature of the processes occurring in the vicinity of the supermassive black holes, the structure of the interstellar plasma inhomogeneities and dynamics of compact objects in star-forming regions.

THREE-DIMENSIONAL KINETIC-MHD MODEL OF THE GLOBAL HELIOSPHERE WITH THE HELIOPAUSE-SURFACE FITTING

This paper provides a detailed description of the latest version of our model of the solar wind (SW) interaction with the local interstellar medium (LISM). This model has already been applied to the analysis of Lyman-alpha absorption spectra toward nearby stars and for analyses of Solar and Heliospheric Observatory/SWAN data. Katushkina et al. (this issue) used the model results to analyze IBEX-Lo data. At the same time, the details of this model have not yet been published. This is a three-dimensional (3D) kinetic-magnetohydrodynamical (MHD) model that takes into account SW and interstellar plasmas (including $\alpha$ particles in SW and helium ions in LISM), the solar and interstellar magnetic fields, and the interstellar hydrogen atoms. The latitudinal dependence of SW and the actual flow direction of the interstellar gas with respect to the Sun are also taken into account in the model. It was very essential that our numerical code had been developed in such a way that any numerical diffusion or reconnection across the heliopause had not been allowed in the model. The heliospheric current sheet is a rotational discontinuity in the ideal MHD and can be treated kinematically. In the paper, we focus in particular on the effects of the heliospheric magnetic field and on the heliolatitudinal dependence of SW.

PRECURSORS TO INTERSTELLAR SHOCKS OF SOLAR ORIGIN

On or about 2012 August 25, the Voyager 1 spacecraft crossed the heliopause into the nearby interstellar plasma. In the nearly three years that the spacecraft has been in interstellar space, three notable particle and field disturbances have been observed, each apparently associated with a shock wave propagating outward from the Sun. Here, we present a detailed analysis of the third and most impressive of these disturbances, with brief comparisons to the two previous events, both of which have been previously reported. The shock responsible for the third event was first detected on 2014 February 17 by the onset of narrowband radio emissions from the approaching shock, followed on 2014 May 13 by the abrupt appearance of intense electron plasma oscillations generated by electrons streaming outward ahead of the shock. Finally, the shock arrived on 2014 August 25, as indicated by a jump in the magnetic field strength and the plasma density. Various disturbances in the intensity and anisotropy of galactic cosmic rays were also observed ahead of the shock, some of which are believed to be caused by the reflection and acceleration of cosmic rays by the magnetic field jump at the shock, and/or by interactions with upstream plasma waves. Comparisons to the two previous weaker events show somewhat similar precursor effects, although differing in certain details. Many of these effects are very similar to those observed in the region called the foreshock that occurs upstream of planetary bow shocks, only on a vastly larger spatial scale.

Compensated-current instability of kinetic Alfvén waves

We study a non-resonant instability of kinetic Alfven waves (KAWs) driven by compensated currents. Such currents set up in response to energetic ion beams occurring in many space and astrophysical plasmas, like foreshock regions in the solar wind and around supernova remnants. Kinetic effects of the background ion gyroradius make the KAW instability stronger than its magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) counterpart and shift its maximum to shorter wavelengths. The KAW growth time can be very short, approaching the proton gyroperiod in the terrestrial foreshock ahead of the quasi-perpendicular bow shock region. The oblique Alfven instability driven by the cosmic rays in the interstellar and intergalactic plasmas develops mostly in the MHD regime and can extend in the KAW regime only at large fluxes of cosmic rays. Short cross-field wavelengths of growing Alfven modes facilitate stochastic cross-field acceleration of cosmic rays.

Higher-order nonlinear equations for the electron-acoustic waves in a nonextensive electron-positron-ion plasma

A precise theoretical investigation has been made on electron-acoustic (EA) Gardner solitons (GSs) and double layers (DLs) in a four-component plasma system consisting of nonextensive hot electrons and positrons, inertial cold electrons, and immobile positive ions. The well-known reductive perturbation method has been used to derive the Korteweg-de Vries (K-dV), modified K-dV (mK-dV), and Gardner equations along with their solitary wave as well as double layer solutions. It has been found that depending on the plasma parameters, the K-dV solitons and GSs are either compressive or rarefactive, whereas the mK-dV solitons are only compressive, and Gardner DLs are only rarefactive. The analytical comparison among the K-dV solitons, mK-dV solitons, and GSs are also investigated. It has been identified that the basic properties of such EA solitons and EA DLs are significantly modified due to the effects of nonextensivity and other plasma parameters related to plasma particle number densities and to temperature of different plasma species. The results of our present investigation can be helpful for understanding the nonlinear electrostatic structures associated with EA waves in various interstellar space plasma environments and cosmological scenarios (viz. quark-gluon plasma, protoneutron stars, stellar polytropes, hadronic matter, dark-matter halos, etc.)

DRAPING OF THE INTERSTELLAR MAGNETIC FIELD OVER THE HELIOPAUSE: A PASSIVE FIELD MODEL

As the local interstellar plasma flows past our heliosphere, it is slowed and deflected around the magnetic obstacle of the heliopause. The interstellar magnetic field, frozen into this plasma, then becomes draped around the heliopause in a characteristic manner. We derive the analytical solution for this draped magnetic field in the limit of weak field intensity, assuming an ideal potential flow around the heliopause, which we model as a Rankine half-body. We compare the structure of the model magnetic field with observed properties of the Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) ribbon and with in situ observations at the Voyager 1 spacecraft. We find reasonable qualitative agreement, given the idealizations of the model. This agreement lends support to the secondary ENA model of the IBEX ribbon and to the interpretation that Voyager 1 has crossed the heliopause. We also predict that the magnetic field measured by Voyager 2 after it crosses the heliopause will not be significantly rotated away from the direction of the undisturbed interstellar field.

EVIDENCE FOR AN INTERSTELLAR DUST FILAMENT IN THE OUTER HELIOSHEATH

A recently discovered filament of polarized starlight that traces a coherent magnetic field is shown to have several properties that are consistent with an origin in the outer heliosheath of the heliosphere: (1) The magnetic field that provides the best fit to the polarization position angles is directed within 6.7+-11 degrees of the observed upwind direction of the flow of interstellar neutral helium gas through the heliosphere. (2) The magnetic field is ordered; the component of the variation of the polarization position angles that can be attributed to magnetic turbulence is small. (3) The axis of the elongated filament can be approximated by a line that defines an angle of 80+/-14 degrees with the plane that is formed by the interstellar magnetic field vector and the vector of the inflowing neutral gas (the "BV" plane). We propose that this polarization feature arises from aligned interstellar dust grains in the outer heliosheath where the interstellar plasma and magnetic field are deflected around the heliosphere. The proposed outer heliosheath location of the polarizing grains requires confirmation by modeling grain-propagation through three-dimensional MHD heliosphere models that simultaneously calculate torques on asymmetric dust grains interacting with the heliosphere.

Heliospheric plasma flow at Voyager 2 is almost coplanar with the hydrogen deflection plane

Abstract We show that for the undisturbed interstellar velocity vector $\boldsymbol {V}_{\rm IS}$ and magnetic field direction $\boldsymbol {B}_{\rm IS}$ defined by IBEX (Interstellar Boundary Explorer) Ribbon centre, the radial direction of Voyager 2 over the last decade, and the (thermal proton) plasma velocity measured by the spacecraft since 2010.5, are almost parallel to the ($\boldsymbol {B}_{\rm IS}$, $\boldsymbol {V}_{\rm IS}$)-plane, which coincides in practice with the hydrogen deflection plane. In consequence the plasma flow velocity measured by Voyager 2 in the inner heliosheath rotates more in the transverse than in the polar direction (explanation alternative to McComas & Schwadron). Note that the ($\boldsymbol {B}_{\rm IS}$, $\boldsymbol {V}_{\rm IS}$) plane is a symmetry plane of the interstellar plasma flow at large heliocentric distances.

Large amplitude ion-acoustic rarefactive and compressive solitons and double layers in a dusty plasma with finite ion temperature

Large amplitude ion-acoustic solitons and double layers are studied using Sagdeev’s pseudo potential technique in a collisionless unmagnetized plasma consisting of hot and cold Maxwellian electrons, warm adiabatic ions, and heavily charged massive dust grains. It is found that for the selected set of plasma parameters, the system can support both solitons and double layers in the presence of negative as well as positive dust in the plasma. Further we have also investigated the ranges of parameters for simultaneous existence of both rarefactive and compressive supersonic solitons. The effects of dust concentration and ion temperature on the amplitude and Mach number of the double layer have also been studied. Our findings may be helpful in understanding the formation of non-linear structures, specially the solitons and double layers in space plasma, such as: in interstellar clouds, circumstellar clouds, planetary rings, comets, cometary tails, asteroid zones, auroral plasma, magnetospheric plasma, pulsars, and other astronomical environments and laboratory plasmas.

A model for the nose region of the heliosheath

The Voyager 1 spacecraft is currently in the vicinity of the heliopause, which separates the heliosphere from the local interstellar medium. There has been a precipitous decrease in particles accelerated in the heliosphere, and a substantial increase in galactic cosmic rays (GCRs), suggesting easy escape of the former across the heliopause, and entry of the latter. The question is, has Voyager 1 actually crossed the heliopause and is it now in the interstellar medium? Here the evidence is inconclusive. The direction of the magnetic field observed by Voyager 1 is essentially unchanged from the direction of the heliospheric magnetic field. However, the plasma density, which is measured from observations of plasma waves, is similar to the expected higher density of interstellar plasma. In this paper, the principal results of an analytic model are presented demonstrating that the higher plasma densities measured by Voyager 1 are likely to be compressed solar wind. Thus both the magnetic field and the plasma density observations are consistent with Voyager 1 still remaining well within the heliosheath. The model has a simple test: Voyager 1 should encounter a current sheet crossing, where the behavior of particles accelerated in the heliosphere and the GCRs will be different from what Voyager 1 is now observing.

Anisotropies in TeV Cosmic Rays Related to the Local Interstellar Magnetic Field from the IBEX Ribbon

The Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) observes enhanced Energetic Neutral Atoms (ENAs) emission in the keV energy range from a narrow (~20° wide) "ribbon" in the sky that appears to be centered on the direction of the local interstellar (LIS) magnetic field. The Milagro collaboration, the Asγ collaboration and the IceCube observatory have recently made global maps of cosmic ray fluxes in the TeV energy range, revealing anisotropic structures ordered in part by the local interstellar magnetic field and the interstellar flow. This paper following from a recent publication in Science makes the link between these disparate observations by developing a simple model of the magnetic structure surrounding the heliosphere in the Local Interstellar Medium (LISM) that is consistent with both IBEX ENA fluxes and TeV cosmic ray anisotropies. The model also employs the revised velocity direction of the LIC derived from neutral He observations by IBEX. By modeling the propagation of cosmic rays through this magnetic field structure, we specifically show that (1) the large-scale TeV anisotropy provides a roughly consistent orientation for the local interstellar magnetic field at the center of the IBEX Ribbon and corroborates the ~ 3 μG magnitude of the local interstellar magnetic field derived from IBEX observations of the global heliosphere; (2) and small-scale structures in cosmic rays (over < 30° angular scales) are influenced by the interstellar field interaction with the heliosphere at energies < 10 TeV. Thus, we provide a link between IBEX ENA observations, IBEX neutral observations of interstellar He, and TeV cosmic ray anisotropies, which are strongly influenced by the interactions between the local interstellar magnetic field, the flow of the local interstellar plasma, and the global heliosphere.

Effect of q-nonextensive distribution of electrons on dust-ion acoustic solitons

The propagation of nonlinear waves in plasmas consisting of a cold electron fluid and nonextensive hot electrons and stationary ions is studied. By using the reductive perturbation theory, the Korteweg-de Vries (KdV) equation is derived. It is shown that the amplitude of solitary waves of the KdV equation diverges at the critical values of plasma parameters. We derive solitons of a modified Korteweg-de Vries (mKdV) equation with finite amplitude in this situation. It is found that both compressive and rarefractive solitons as well as double layers exist depending on the q-nonextensive parameter. The q-parameter also affects the double layers. Our investigation is of wide relevance to astronomers and space scientists working on interstellar space plasmas.

INTERPRETATION OF THE DISTURBANCE IN GALACTIC COSMIC RAYS OBSERVED ON VOYAGER 1 BEYOND THE HELIOPAUSE

We present a possible explanation for the transient increase in the galactic cosmic ray flux observed by Voyager 1 (V1) beyond the heliopause, in 2013 March. We suggest that this disturbance may be caused by a propagating disturbance in the interstellar magnetic field, of heliospheric origin. A model in which a magnetic disturbance, propagating outward from the heliosphere into the very-local interstellar plasma, affects the galactic cosmic rays is presented. We also discuss the possibility that this event is related to the plasma-wave event observed some 25 days later by the PWS experiment on V1.

MHD flows at astropauses and in astrotails

Abstract. The geometrical shapes and the physical properties of stellar wind – interstellar medium interaction regions form an important stage for studying stellar winds and their embedded magnetic fields as well as cosmic ray modulation. Our goal is to provide a proper representation and classification of counter-flow configurations and counter-flow interfaces in the frame of fluid theory. In addition we calculate flows and large-scale electromagnetic fields based on which the large-scale dynamics and its role as possible background for particle acceleration, e.g., in the form of anomalous cosmic rays, can be studied. We find that for the definition of the boundaries, which are determining the astropause shape, the number and location of magnetic null points and stagnation points is essential. Multiple separatrices can exist, forming a highly complex environment for the interstellar and stellar plasma. Furthermore, the formation of extended tail structures occur naturally, and their stretched field and streamlines provide surroundings and mechanisms for the acceleration of particles by field-aligned electric fields.

Anisotropies in TeV Cosmic Rays Related to the IBEX Ribbon

The Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) observes enhanced Energetic Neutral Atoms (ENAs) emission in the keV energy range from a narrow (~20° wide) "ribbon" in the sky that appears to be centered on the direction of the local interstellar (LIS) magnetic field. The Milagro collaboration, the Asγ collaboration and the IceCube observatory have recently made global maps of cosmic ray fluxes in the TeV energy range, revealing anisotropic structures ordered in part by the local interstellar magnetic field and the interstellar flow. This paper following from a recent publication in Science makes the link between these disparate observations by developing a simple model of the magnetic structure surrounding the heliosphere in the Local Interstellar Medium (LISM) that is consistent with both IBEX ENA fluxes and TeV cosmic ray anisotropies. The model also employs the revised velocity direction of the LIC derived from neutral He observations by IBEX. By modeling the propagation of cosmic rays through this magnetic field structure, we specifically show that (1) the large-scale TeV anisotropy provides a roughly consistent orientation for the local interstellar magnetic field at the center of the IBEX Ribbon and corroborates the ~ 3 μG magnitude of the local interstellar magnetic field derived from IBEX observations of the global heliosphere; (2) and small-scale structures in cosmic rays (over < 30° angular scales) are influenced by the interstellar field interaction with the heliosphere at energies < 10 TeV. Thus, we provide a link between IBEX ENA observations, IBEX neutral observations of interstellar He, and TeV cosmic ray anisotropies, which are strongly influenced by the interactions between the local interstellar magnetic field, the flow of the local interstellar plasma, and the global heliosphere.

MAGNETIC FIELD FLUCTUATIONS OBSERVED IN THE HELIOSHEATH AND INTERSTELLAR MAGNETIC FIELD BYVOYAGER 1AT 115.7-124.9 AU DURING 2011-2013

We discuss microscale fluctuations of the hour averages of the magnetic field B observed on a scale of one day by Voyager 1 (V1) from 2011.0 to 2012.3143 (when it was within the distant heliosheath, where the average magnetic field strength (B) = 0.17 nT) and during the interval from 2012.6503 to 2013.5855 (when it was within the interstellar plasma with (B) = 0.47 nT). In both regions, the fluctuations were primarily compressive fluctuations, varying along the average B (≈T direction in RTN coordinates). In the heliosheath, the average of the daily standard deviations (SDs) of the compressive and transverse components of B were (SD{sub c}) = 0.010 nT and (SD{sub t}) ≤ 0.005 nT (which is the limit of the measurement). In the distant heliosheath (SD{sub c})/(B) = 0.06, and the distributions of SD were skewed and highly kurtotic. The interstellar magnetic field (ISMF) strength was B = 0.48 nT, but the fluctuations were below the limit of measurement: (SD{sub c}) = 0.004 nT and (abs(SD{sub t})) = 0.004 nT. The distributions of these interstellar SDs have skewness and kurtosis consistent with a Gaussian noise distribution. We also discuss the fluctuations of 48 s averages of B on amore » scale of 1 day during a 30 day interval when V1 was observing the ISMF. For the fluctuations in all three components of B, SD = 0.010 nT, which gives an upper limit on the fluctuations of the ISMF on the scales observed by V1. This SD rules out the possibility that there is significant power in electromagnetic fluctuations generated by pickup ion ring instabilities at these scales, which strongly constrains models of the IBEX ribbon.« less

INSTABILITY OF THE HELIOPAUSE DRIVEN BY CHARGE EXCHANGE INTERACTIONS

The stability of the heliopause that separates the tenuous hot magnetized heliosheath plasma from the dense cool local interstellar magnetized plasma is examined using a fully general model that includes all the essential physical processes. Charge exchange coupling between plasma protons and primary interstellar neutral atoms provides an effective gravity that drives Rayleigh-Taylor (RT)-like instabilities. The velocity difference or shear between the heliosheath and interstellar flows, when coupled to energetic neutral atoms (ENAs), drives a Kelvin-Helmholtz (KH)-like instability on the heliopause. The shoulder region of the heliopause is unstable to a new instability that has characteristics of a mixed RT-KH-like mode. The instabilities are not stabilized by typical values of the magnetic fields in the inner and outer heliosheath (OHS). ENAs play an essential role in driving the KH-like instability, which is fully stabilized in their absence by magnetic fields. The nonlinear phase of these instabilities is briefly discussed. We also discuss the possibility that RT-like or mixed KH-RT-like instabilities drag outer heliosheath/very local interstellar medium (OHS/VLISM) magnetic field lines into the inner heliosheath (IHS) with the VLISM flow, and the possibility that IHS and VLISM magnetic field lines experience reconnection. Such reconnection may (1) greatly enhance the mixing ofmore » plasmas across the heliopause and (2) provide open magnetic field lines that allow easy ingress of galactic cosmic rays into the heliosphere and corresponding easy loss of anomalous cosmic rays from the heliosphere.« less