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Small-scale Gradients and Large-scale Diffusion of Charged Particles in the Heliospheric Magnetic Field
The Astrophysical Journal
|March 4, 2000
Summary
Energetic particle propagation in solar wind turbulence causes intensity dropouts at 1 AU. These fluctuations result from the convection of magnetic flux tubes, matching spacecraft observations.
Area of Science:
- Space Physics
- Plasma Physics
- Heliophysics
Background:
- Energetic charged particles propagate through the solar wind's turbulent magnetic field.
- Understanding particle transport is crucial for space weather prediction and understanding solar phenomena.
Purpose of the Study:
- To simulate and analyze the propagation of energetic charged particles in a turbulent solar wind magnetic field.
- To explain observed intensity fluctuations (dropouts) in particle events near Earth.
Main Methods:
- Numerical simulations of charged particle propagation.
- Modeling turbulent magnetic fields characteristic of the solar wind.
- Comparing simulation results with Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) spacecraft data.
Main Results:
- Simulations reproduce characteristic intensity dropouts at 1 Astronomical Unit (AU).
- Dropouts are linked to steep localized magnetic field gradients.
- Observed fluctuations result from the convection of alternating filled and empty magnetic flux tubes.
Conclusions:
- The convection of magnetic flux tubes provides a natural explanation for particle intensity dropouts.
- The model quantitatively matches recent observational data.
- This mechanism is consistent with previous studies of particle transport to high heliographic latitudes.