Diagnostics of corotating interaction regions with the kinetic properties of iron ions as determined with STEREO/PLASTIC

作者：Bochsler P^*; Lee M A; Karrer R; Jian L K; Ellis L; Farrugia C J; Galvin A B; Kistler L M; Kucharek H; Moebius E; Popecki M A; Simunac K D C; Blush L M; Daoudi H; Wurz P; Klecker B; Wimmer Schweingruber R F; Thompson B; Luhmann J G; Russell C T; Opitz A

来源：Annales Geophysicae, 2010, 28(2): 491-497.

DOI：10.5194/angeo-28-491-2010

• Interplanetary physics
• Discontinuities
• Interplanetary shocks
• Solar wind plasma

STEREO/PLASTIC determines three-dimensional distributions of solar wind iron ions with unprecedented time resolution. Typically 300 to 1000 counts are registered within each 5 min time interval. For the present study we use the information contained in these distributions to characterize CIRs (Corotating Interaction Regions) in two test cases. We perform a consistency test for both the derived physical parameters and for the analytical model of CIRs of Lee (2000). At 1 AU we find that apart from compositional changes the most indicative parameter for marking the time when a CIR passes a spacecraft is the angular deflection of the flow vector of particles. Changes in particle densities and the changes in magnitudes of speeds are apparently less reliable indicators of stream interfaces.

• 出版日期2010