| 1. |
- Zouganelis, I., et al.
(författare)
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The Solar Orbiter Science Activity Plan : Translating solar and heliospheric physics questions into action
- 2020
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Ingår i: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP SCIENCES S A. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 642
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Solar Orbiter is the first space mission observing the solar plasma both in situ and remotely, from a close distance, in and out of the ecliptic. The ultimate goal is to understand how the Sun produces and controls the heliosphere, filling the Solar System and driving the planetary environments. With six remote-sensing and four in-situ instrument suites, the coordination and planning of the operations are essential to address the following four top-level science questions: (1) What drives the solar wind and where does the coronal magnetic field originate?; (2) How do solar transients drive heliospheric variability?; (3) How do solar eruptions produce energetic particle radiation that fills the heliosphere?; (4) How does the solar dynamo work and drive connections between the Sun and the heliosphere? Maximising the mission's science return requires considering the characteristics of each orbit, including the relative position of the spacecraft to Earth (affecting downlink rates), trajectory events (such as gravitational assist manoeuvres), and the phase of the solar activity cycle. Furthermore, since each orbit's science telemetry will be downloaded over the course of the following orbit, science operations must be planned at mission level, rather than at the level of individual orbits. It is important to explore the way in which those science questions are translated into an actual plan of observations that fits into the mission, thus ensuring that no opportunities are missed. First, the overarching goals are broken down into specific, answerable questions along with the required observations and the so-called Science Activity Plan (SAP) is developed to achieve this. The SAP groups objectives that require similar observations into Solar Orbiter Observing Plans, resulting in a strategic, top-level view of the optimal opportunities for science observations during the mission lifetime. This allows for all four mission goals to be addressed. In this paper, we introduce Solar Orbiter's SAP through a series of examples and the strategy being followed.
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| 2. |
- Bale, S. D., et al.
(författare)
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The FIELDS Instrument Suite for Solar Probe Plus
- 2016
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Ingår i: Space Science Reviews. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0038-6308 .- 1572-9672. ; 204:1-4, s. 49-82
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- NASA's Solar Probe Plus (SPP) mission will make the first in situ measurements of the solar corona and the birthplace of the solar wind. The FIELDS instrument suite on SPP will make direct measurements of electric and magnetic fields, the properties of in situ plasma waves, electron density and temperature profiles, and interplanetary radio emissions, amongst other things. Here, we describe the scientific objectives targeted by the SPP/FIELDS instrument, the instrument design itself, and the instrument concept of operations and planned data products.
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| 3. |
- Maksimovic, M., et al.
(författare)
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First observations and performance of the RPW instrument on board the Solar Orbiter mission
- 2021
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Ingår i: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 656
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The Radio and Plasma Waves (RPW) instrument on the ESA Solar Orbiter mission is designed to measure in situ magnetic and electric fields and waves from the continuum up to several hundred kHz. The RPW also observes solar and heliospheric radio emissions up to 16 MHz. It was switched on and its antennae were successfully deployed two days after the launch of Solar Orbiter on February 10, 2020. Since then, the instrument has acquired enough data to make it possible to assess its performance and the electromagnetic disturbances it experiences. In this article, we assess its scientific performance and present the first RPW observations. In particular, we focus on a statistical analysis of the first observations of interplanetary dust by the instrument's Thermal Noise Receiver. We also review the electro-magnetic disturbances that RPW suffers, especially those which potential users of the instrument data should be aware of before starting their research work.
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| 4. |
- Maksimovic, M., et al.
(författare)
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The Solar Orbiter Radio and Plasma Waves (RPW) instrument
- 2020
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Ingår i: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP SCIENCES S A. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 642
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The Radio and Plasma Waves (RPW) instrument on the ESA Solar Orbiter mission is described in this paper. This instrument is designed to measure in-situ magnetic and electric fields and waves from the continuous to a few hundreds of kHz. RPW will also observe solar radio emissions up to 16 MHz. The RPW instrument is of primary importance to the Solar Orbiter mission and science requirements since it is essential to answer three of the four mission overarching science objectives. In addition RPW will exchange on-board data with the other in-situ instruments in order to process algorithms for interplanetary shocks and type III langmuir waves detections.
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| 5. |
- Kollhoff, A., et al.
(författare)
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The first widespread solar energetic particle event observed by Solar Orbiter on 2020 November 29
- 2021
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Ingår i: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 656
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Context. On 2020 November 29, the first widespread solar energetic particle (SEP) event of solar cycle 25 was observed at four widely separated locations in the inner (≲1 AU) heliosphere. Relativistic electrons as well as protons with energies > 50 MeV were observed by Solar Orbiter (SolO), Parker Solar Probe, the Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO)-A and multiple near-Earth spacecraft. The SEP event was associated with an M4.4 class X-ray flare and accompanied by a coronal mass ejection and an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) wave as well as a type II radio burst and multiple type III radio bursts.Aims. We present multi-spacecraft particle observations and place them in context with source observations from remote sensing instruments and discuss how such observations may further our understanding of particle acceleration and transport in this widespread event.Methods. Velocity dispersion analysis (VDA) and time shift analysis (TSA) were used to infer the particle release times at the Sun. Solar wind plasma and magnetic field measurements were examined to identify structures that influence the properties of the energetic particles such as their intensity. Pitch angle distributions and first-order anisotropies were analyzed in order to characterize the particle propagation in the interplanetary medium.Results. We find that during the 2020 November 29 SEP event, particles spread over more than 230° in longitude close to 1 AU. The particle onset delays observed at the different spacecraft are larger as the flare–footpoint angle increases and are consistent with those from previous STEREO observations. Comparing the timing when the EUV wave intersects the estimated magnetic footpoints of each spacecraft with particle release times from TSA and VDA, we conclude that a simple scenario where the particle release is only determined by the EUV wave propagation is unlikely for this event. Observations of anisotropic particle distributions at SolO, Wind, and STEREO-A do not rule out that particles are injected over a wide longitudinal range close to the Sun. However, the low values of the first-order anisotropy observed by near-Earth spacecraft suggest that diffusive propagation processes are likely involved.
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| 6. |
- Allen, R. C., et al.
(författare)
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Energetic ions in the Venusian system : Insights from the first Solar Orbiter flyby
- 2021
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Ingår i: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 656
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The Solar Orbiter flyby of Venus on 27 December 2020 allowed for an opportunity to measure the suprathermal to energetic ions in the Venusian system over a large range of radial distances to better understand the acceleration processes within the system and provide a characterization of galactic cosmic rays near the planet. Bursty suprathermal ion enhancements (up to similar to 10 keV) were observed as far as similar to 50R(V) downtail. These enhancements are likely related to a combination of acceleration mechanisms in regions of strong turbulence, current sheet crossings, and boundary layer crossings, with a possible instance of ion heating due to ion cyclotron waves within the Venusian tail. Upstream of the planet, suprathermal ions are observed that might be related to pick-up acceleration of photoionized exospheric populations as far as 5R(V) upstream in the solar wind as has been observed before by missions such as Pioneer Venus Orbiter and Venus Express. Near the closest approach of Solar Orbiter, the Galactic cosmic ray (GCR) count rate was observed to decrease by approximately 5 percent, which is consistent with the amount of sky obscured by the planet, suggesting a negligible abundance of GCR albedo particles at over 2 R-V. Along with modulation of the GCR population very close to Venus, the Solar Orbiter observations show that the Venusian system, even far from the planet, can be an effective accelerator of ions up to similar to 30 keV. This paper is part of a series of the first papers from the Solar Orbiter Venus flyby.
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| 7. |
- Aran, A., et al.
(författare)
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Evidence for local particle acceleration in the first recurrent galactic cosmic ray depression observed by Solar Orbiter : The ion event on 19 June 2020
- 2021
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Ingår i: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 656
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Context. In mid-June 2020, the Solar Orbiter (SolO) mission reached its first perihelion at 0.51 au and started its cruise phase, with most of the in situ instruments operating continuously.Aims. We present the in situ particle measurements of the first proton event observed after the first perihelion obtained by the Energetic Particle Detector (EPD) suite on board SolO. The potential solar and interplanetary (IP) sources of these particles are investigated.Methods. Ion observations from similar to 20 keV to similar to 1 MeV are combined with available solar wind data from the Radio and Plasma Waves (RPW) instrument and magnetic field data from the magnetometer on board SolO to evaluate the energetic particle transport conditions and infer the possible acceleration mechanisms through which particles gain energy. We compare > 17-20 MeV ion count rate measurements for two solar rotations, along with the solar wind plasma data available from the Solar Wind Analyser (SWA) and RPW instruments, in order to infer the origin of the observed galactic cosmic ray (GCR) depressions.Results. The lack of an observed electron event and of velocity dispersion at various low-energy ion channels and the observed IP structure indicate a local IP source for the low-energy particles. From the analysis of the anisotropy of particle intensities, we conclude that the low-energy ions were most likely accelerated via a local second-order Fermi process. The observed GCR decrease on 19 June, together with the 51.8-1034.0 keV nuc(-1) ion enhancement, was due to a solar wind stream interaction region (SIR). The observation of a similar GCR decrease in the next solar rotation favours this interpretation and constitutes the first observation of a recurrent GCR decrease by SolO. The analysis of the recurrence times of this SIR suggests that it is the same SIR responsible for the He-4 events previously measured in April and May. Finally, we point out that an IP structure more complex than a common SIR cannot be discarded, mainly due to the lack of solar wind temperature measurements and the lack of a higher cadence of solar wind velocity observations.
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| 8. |
- Telloni, D., et al.
(författare)
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Study of two interacting interplanetary coronal mass ejections encountered by Solar Orbiter during its first perihelion passage Observations and modeling
- 2021
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Ingår i: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 656
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Context. Solar Orbiter, the new-generation mission dedicated to solar and heliospheric exploration, was successfully launched on February 10, 2020, 04:03 UTC from Cape Canaveral. During its first perihelion passage in June 2020, two successive interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs), propagating along the heliospheric current sheet (HCS), impacted the spacecraft.Aims. This paper addresses the investigation of the ICMEs encountered by Solar Orbiter on June 7-8, 2020, from both an observational and a modeling perspective. The aim is to provide a full description of those events, their mutual interaction, and their coupling with the ambient solar wind and the HCS.Methods. Data acquired by the MAG magnetometer, the Energetic Particle Detector suite, and the Radio and Plasma Waves instrument are used to provide information on the ICMEs' magnetic topology configuration, their magnetic connectivity to the Sun, and insights into the heliospheric plasma environment where they travel, respectively. On the modeling side, the Heliospheric Upwind eXtrapolation model, the 3D COronal Rope Ejection technique, and the EUropean Heliospheric FORecasting Information Asset (EUHFORIA) tool are used to complement Solar Orbiter observations of the ambient solar wind and ICMEs, and to simulate the evolution and interaction of the ejecta in the inner heliosphere, respectively.Results. Both data analysis and numerical simulations indicate that the passage of two distinct, dynamically and magnetically interacting (via magnetic reconnection processes) ICMEs at Solar Orbiter is a possible scenario, supported by the numerous similarities between EUHFORIA time series at Solar Orbiter and Solar Orbiter data.Conclusions. The combination of in situ measurements and numerical simulations (together with remote sensing observations of the corona and inner heliosphere) will significantly lead to a deeper understanding of the physical processes occurring during the CME-CME interaction.
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| 9. |
- Matteini, L., et al.
(författare)
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Solar Orbiter's encounter with the tail of comet C/2019 Y4 (ATLAS) : Magnetic field draping and cometary pick-up ion waves
- 2021
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Ingår i: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 656
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Context. Solar Orbiter is expected to have flown close to the tail of comet C/2019 Y4 (ATLAS) during the spacecraft’s first perihelion in June 2020. Models predict a possible crossing of the comet tails by the spacecraft at a distance from the Sun of approximately 0.5 AU.Aims. This study is aimed at identifying possible signatures of the interaction of the solar wind plasma with material released by comet ATLAS, including the detection of draped magnetic field as well as the presence of cometary pick-up ions and of ion-scale waves excited by associated instabilities. This encounter provides us with the first opportunity of addressing such dynamics in the inner Heliosphere and improving our understanding of the plasma interaction between comets and the solar wind.Methods. We analysed data from all in situ instruments on board Solar Orbiter and compared their independent measurements in order to identify and characterize the nature of structures and waves observed in the plasma when the encounter was predicted.Results. We identified a magnetic field structure observed at the start of 4 June, associated with a full magnetic reversal, a local deceleration of the flow and large plasma density, and enhanced dust and energetic ions events. The cross-comparison of all these observations support a possible cometary origin for this structure and suggests the presence of magnetic field draping around some low-field and high-density object. Inside and around this large scale structure, several ion-scale wave-forms are detected that are consistent with small-scale waves and structures generated by cometary pick-up ion instabilities.Conclusions. Solar Orbiter measurements are consistent with the crossing through a magnetic and plasma structure of cometary origin embedded in the ambient solar wind. We suggest that this corresponds to the magnetotail of one of the fragments of comet ATLAS or to a portion of the tail that was previously disconnected and advected past the spacecraft by the solar wind.
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| 10. |
- Carbone, F., et al.
(författare)
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Statistical study of electron density turbulence and ion-cyclotron waves in the inner heliosphere : Solar Orbiter observations
- 2021
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Ingår i: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 656
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Context. The recently released spacecraft potential measured by the RPW instrument on board Solar Orbiter has been used to estimate the solar wind electron density in the inner heliosphere. Aims. The measurement of the solar wind's electron density, taken in June 2020, has been analysed to obtain a thorough characterization of the turbulence and intermittency properties of the fluctuations. Magnetic field data have been used to describe the presence of ion-scale waves. Methods. To study and quantify the properties of turbulence, we extracted selected intervals. We used empirical mode decomposition to obtain the generalized marginal Hilbert spectrum, equivalent to the structure functions analysis, which additionally reduced issues typical of non-stationary, short time series. The presence of waves was quantitatively determined by introducing a parameter describing the time-dependent, frequency-filtered wave power. Results. A well-defined inertial range with power-law scalng was found almost everywhere in the sample studied. However, the Kolmogorov scaling and the typical intermittency effects are only present in fraction of the samples. Other intervals have shallower spectra and more irregular intermittency, which are not described by models of turbulence. These are observed predominantly during intervals of enhanced ion frequency wave activity. Comparisons with compressible magnetic field intermittency (from the MAG instrument) and with an estimate of the solar wind velocity (using electric and magnetic field) are also provided to give general context and help determine the cause of these anomalous fluctuations.
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| 11. |
- Dimmock, A. P., et al.
(författare)
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Analysis of multiscale structures at the quasi-perpendicular Venus bow shock Results from Solar Orbiter's first Venus flyby
- 2022
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Ingår i: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 660
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Context. Solar Orbiter is a European Space Agency mission with a suite of in situ and remote sensing instruments to investigate the physical processes across the inner heliosphere. During the mission, the spacecraft is expected to perform multiple Venus gravity assist maneuvers while providing measurements of the Venusian plasma environment. The first of these occurred on 27 December 2020, in which the spacecraft measured the regions such as the distant and near Venus magnetotail, magnetosheath, and bow shock. Aims. This study aims to investigate the outbound Venus bow shock crossing measured by Solar Orbiter during the first flyby. We study the complex features of the bow shock traversal in which multiple large amplitude magnetic field and density structures were observed as well as higher frequency waves. Our aim is to understand the physical mechanisms responsible for these high amplitude structures, characterize the higher frequency waves, determine the source of the waves, and put these results into context with terrestrial bow shock observations. Methods. High cadence magnetic field, electric field, and electron density measurements were employed to characterize the properties of the large amplitude structures and identify the relevant physical process. Minimum variance analysis, theoretical shock descriptions, coherency analysis, and singular value decomposition were used to study the properties of the higher frequency waves to compare and identify the wave mode. Results. The non-planar features of the bow shock are consistent with shock rippling and/or large amplitude whistler waves. Higher frequency waves are identified as whistler-mode waves, but their properties across the shock imply they may be generated by electron beams and temperature anisotropies. Conclusions. The Venus bow shock at a moderately high Mach number (similar to 5) in the quasi-perpendicular regime exhibits complex features similar to the Earth's bow shock at comparable Mach numbers. The study highlights the need to be able to distinguish between large amplitude waves and spatial structures such as shock rippling. The simultaneous high frequency observations also demonstrate the complex nature of energy dissipation at the shock and the important question of understanding cross-scale coupling in these complex regions. These observations will be important to interpreting future planetary missions and additional gravity assist maneuvers.
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| 12. |
- Graham, Daniel B., et al.
(författare)
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Kinetic electrostatic waves and their association with current structures in the solar wind
- 2021
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Ingår i: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 656
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Context. A variety of kinetic electrostatic and electromagnetic waves develop in the solar wind and the relationship between these waves and larger scale structures, such as current sheets and ongoing turbulence, remain a topic of investigation. Similarly, the instabilities producing ion-acoustic waves in the solar wind are still an open question. Aims. The goals of this paper are to investigate electrostatic Langmuir and ion-acoustic waves in the solar wind at 0.5 AU and determine whether current sheets and associated streaming instabilities can produce the observed waves. The relationship between these waves and currents observed in the solar wind is investigated statistically. Methods. Solar Orbiter's Radio and Plasma Waves instrument suite provides high-resolution snapshots of the fluctuating electric field. The Low Frequency Receiver resolves the waveforms of ion-acoustic waves and the Time Domain Sampler resolves the waveforms of both ion-acoustic and Langmuir waves. Using these waveform data, we determine when these waves are observed in relation to current structures in the solar wind, estimated from the background magnetic field. Results. Langmuir and ion-acoustic waves are frequently observed in the solar wind. Ion-acoustic waves are observed about 1% of the time at 0.5 AU. The waves are more likely to be observed in regions of enhanced currents. However, the waves typically do not occur at current structures themselves. The observed currents in the solar wind are too small to drive instability by the relative drift between single ion and electron populations. When multi-component ion or electron distributions are present, the observed currents may be sufficient for instabilities to occur. Ion beams are the most plausible source of ion-acoustic waves in the solar wind. The spacecraft potential is confirmed to be a reliable probe of the background electron density when comparing the peak frequencies of Langmuir waves with the plasma frequency calculated from the spacecraft potential.
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| 13. |
- Hadid, L. Z., et al.
(författare)
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Solar Orbiter's first Venus flyby : Observations from the Radio and Plasma Wave instrument
- 2021
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Ingår i: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 656
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Context. On December 27, 2020, Solar Orbiter completed its first gravity assist manoeuvre of Venus (VGAM1). While this flyby was performed to provide the spacecraft with sufficient velocity to get closer to the Sun and observe its poles from progressively higher inclinations, the Radio and Plasma Wave (RPW) consortium, along with other operational in situ instruments, had the opportunity to perform high cadence measurements and study the plasma properties in the induced magnetosphere of Venus.Aims. In this paper, we review the main observations of the RPW instrument during VGAM1. They include the identification of a number of magnetospheric plasma wave modes, measurements of the electron number densities computed using the quasi-thermal noise spectroscopy technique and inferred from the probe-to-spacecraft potential, the observation of dust impact signatures, kinetic solitary structures, and localized structures at the bow shock, in addition to the validation of the wave normal analysis on-board from the Low Frequency Receiver.Methods. We used the data products provided by the different subsystems of RPW to study Venus' induced magnetosphere.Results. The results include the observations of various electromagnetic and electrostatic wave modes in the induced magnetosphere of Venus: strong emissions of similar to 100 Hz whistler waves are observed in addition to electrostatic ion acoustic waves, solitary structures and Langmuir waves in the magnetosheath of Venus. Moreover, based on the different levels of the wave amplitudes and the large-scale variations of the electron number densities, we could identify different regions and boundary layers at Venus.Conclusions. The RPW instrument provided unprecedented AC magnetic and electric field measurements in Venus' induced magnetosphere for continuous frequency ranges and with high time resolution. These data allow for the conclusive identification of various plasma waves at higher frequencies than previously observed and a detailed investigation regarding the structure of the induced magnetosphere of Venus. Furthermore, noting that prior studies were mainly focused on the magnetosheath region and could only reach 10-12 Venus radii (R-V) down the tail, the particular orbit geometry of Solar Orbiter's VGAM1, allowed the first investigation of the nature of the plasma waves continuously from the bow shock to the magnetosheath, extending to similar to 70R(V) in the far distant tail region.
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| 14. |
- Khotyaintsev, Yu, V, et al.
(författare)
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Density fluctuations associated with turbulence and waves First observations by Solar Orbiter
- 2021
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Ingår i: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 656
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aims. The aim of this work is to demonstrate that the probe-to-spacecraft potential measured by RPW on Solar Orbiter can be used to derive the plasma (electron) density measurement, which exhibits both a high temporal resolution and a high level of accuracy. To investigate the physical nature of the solar wind turbulence and waves, we analyze the density and magnetic field fluctuations around the proton cyclotron frequency observed by Solar Orbiter during the first perihelion encounter (similar to 0.5AU away from the Sun). Methods. We used the plasma density based on measurements of the probe-to-spacecraft potential in combination with magnetic field measurements by MAG to study the fields and density fluctuations in the solar wind. In particular, we used the polarization of the wave magnetic field, the phase between the compressible magnetic field and density fluctuations, and the compressibility ratio (the ratio of the normalized density fluctuations to the normalized compressible fluctuations of B) to characterize the observed waves and turbulence. Results. We find that the density fluctuations are 180 degrees out of phase (anticorrelated) with the compressible component of magnetic fluctuations for intervals of turbulence, whereas they are in phase for the circular-polarized waves. We analyze, in detail, two specific events with a simultaneous presence of left- and right-handed waves at di fferent frequencies. We compare the observed wave properties to a prediction of the three-fluid (electrons, protons, and alphas) model. We find a limit on the observed wavenumbers, 10(-6) < k < 7 > 10(-6) m(-1), which corresponds to a wavelength of 7 x 10(6) > lambda > 10(6) m. We conclude that it is most likely that both the leftand right-handed waves correspond to the low-wavenumber part (close to the cut-o ff at Omega(cHe++)) of the proton-band electromagnetic ion cyclotron (left-handed wave in the plasma frame confined to the frequency range Omega(cHe++) < omega < Omega(cp)) waves propagating in the outwards and inwards directions, respectively. The fact that both wave polarizations are observed at the same time and the identified wave mode has a low group velocity suggests that the double-banded events occur in the source regions of the waves.
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| 15. |
- Steinvall, Konrad, et al.
(författare)
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Solar wind current sheets and deHoffmann-Teller analysis First results from Solar Orbiter's DC electric field measurements
- 2021
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Ingår i: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 656
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Context. Solar Orbiter was launched on 10 February 2020 with the purpose of investigating solar and heliospheric physics using a payload of instruments designed for both remote and in situ studies. Similar to the recently launched Parker Solar Probe, and unlike earlier missions, Solar Orbiter carries instruments designed to measure low-frequency DC electric fields. Aims. In this paper, we assess the quality of the low-frequency DC electric field measured by the Radio and Plasma Waves instrument (RPW) on Solar Orbiter. In particular, we investigate the possibility of using Solar Orbiter's DC electric and magnetic field data to estimate the solar wind speed. Methods. We used a deHoffmann-Teller (HT) analysis, based on measurements of the electric and magnetic fields, to find the velocity of solar wind current sheets, which minimises a single component of the electric field. By comparing the HT velocity to the proton velocity measured by the Proton and Alpha particle Sensor (PAS), we have developed a simple model for the effective antenna length, L-eff of the E-field probes. We then used the HT method to estimate the speed of the solar wind. Results. Using the HT method, we find that the observed variations in E-y are often in excellent agreement with the variations in the magnetic field. The magnitude of E-y, however, is uncertain due to the fact that the L-eff depends on the plasma environment. Here, we derive an empirical model relating L-eff to the Debye length, which we can use to improve the estimate of E-y and, consequently, the estimated solar wind speed. Conclusions. The low-frequency electric field provided by RPW is of high quality. Using the deHoffmann-Teller analysis, Solar Orbiter's magnetic and electric field measurements can be used to estimate the solar wind speed when plasma data are unavailable.
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| 16. |
- Chust, T., et al.
(författare)
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Observations of whistler mode waves by Solar Orbiter's RPW Low Frequency Receiver (LFR) : In-flight performance and first results
- 2021
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Ingår i: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 656
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Context. The Radio and Plasma Waves (RPW) instrument is one of the four in situ instruments of the ESA/NASA Solar Orbiter mission, which was successfully launched on February 10, 2020. The Low Frequency Receiver (LFR) is one of its subsystems, designed to characterize the low frequency electric (quasi-DC - 10 kHz) and magnetic (similar to 1 Hz-10 kHz) fields that develop, propagate, interact, and dissipate in the solar wind plasma. Combined with observations of the particles and the DC magnetic field, LFR measurements will help to improve the understanding of the heating and acceleration processes at work during solar wind expansion.Aims. The capability of LFR to observe and analyze a variety of low frequency plasma waves can be demontrated by taking advantage of whistler mode wave observations made just after the near-Earth commissioning phase of Solar Orbiter. In particular, this is related to its capability of measuring the wave normal vector, the phase velocity, and the Poynting vector for determining the propagation characteristics of the waves.Methods. Several case studies of whistler mode waves are presented, using all possible LFR onboard digital processing products, waveforms, spectral matrices, and basic wave parameters.Results. Here, we show that whistler mode waves can be very properly identified and characterized, along with their Doppler-shifted frequency, based on the waveform capture as well as on the LFR onboard spectral analysis.Conclusions. Despite the fact that calibrations of the electric and magnetic data still require some improvement, these first whistler observations show a good overall consistency between the RPW LFR data, indicating that many science results on these waves, as well as on other plasma waves, can be obtained by Solar Orbiter in the solar wind.
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| 17. |
- Kretzschmar, M., et al.
(författare)
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Whistler waves observed by Solar Orbiter/RPW between 0.5 AU and 1 AU
- 2021
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Ingår i: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 656
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Context. Solar wind evolution differs from a simple radial expansion, while wave-particle interactions are assumed to be the major cause for the observed dynamics of the electron distribution function. In particular, whistler waves are thought to inhibit the electron heat flux and ensure the diffusion of the field-aligned energetic electrons (Strahl electrons) to replenish the halo population.Aims. The goal of our study is to detect and characterize the electromagnetic waves that have the capacity to modify the electron distribution functions, with a special focus on whistler waves.Methods. We carried out a detailed analysis of the electric and magnetic field fluctuations observed by the Solar Orbiter spacecraft during its first orbit around the Sun, between 0.5 and 1 AU. Using data from the Search Coil Magnetometer and electric antenna, both part of the Radio and Plasma Waves (RPW) instrumental suite, we detected the electromagnetic waves with frequencies above 3 Hz and determined the statistical distribution of their amplitudes, frequencies, polarization, and k-vector as a function of distance. Here, we also discuss the relevant instrumental issues regarding the phase between the electric and magnetic measurements as well as the effective length of the electric antenna.Results. An overwhelming majority of the observed waves are right-handed circularly polarized in the solar wind frame and identified as outwardly propagating quasi-parallel whistler waves. Their occurrence rate increases by a least a factor of 2 from 1 AU to 0.5 AU. These results are consistent with the regulation of the heat flux by the whistler heat flux instability. Near 0.5 AU, whistler waves are found to be more field-aligned and to have a smaller normalized frequency (f/f(ce)), larger amplitude, and greater bandwidth than at 1 AU.
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| 18. |
- Hadid, L. Z., et al.
(författare)
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BepiColombo's Cruise Phase : Unique Opportunity for Synergistic Observations
- 2021
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Ingår i: Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences. - : Frontiers Media S.A.. - 2296-987X. ; 8
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The investigation of multi-spacecraft coordinated observations during the cruise phase of BepiColombo (ESA/JAXA) are reported, with a particular emphasis on the recently launched missions, Solar Orbiter (ESA/NASA) and Parker Solar Probe (NASA). Despite some payload constraints, many instruments onboard BepiColombo are operating during its cruise phase simultaneously covering a wide range of heliocentric distances (0.28 AU-0.5 AU). Hence, the various spacecraft configurations and the combined in-situ and remote sensing measurements from the different spacecraft, offer unique opportunities for BepiColombo to be part of these unprecedented multipoint synergistic observations and for potential scientific studies in the inner heliosphere, even before its orbit insertion around Mercury in December 2025. The main goal of this report is to present the coordinated observation opportunities during the cruise phase of BepiColombo (excluding the planetary flybys). We summarize the identified science topics, the operational instruments, the method we have used to identify the windows of opportunity and discuss the planning of joint observations in the future.
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| 19. |
- Horbury, T., et al.
(författare)
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Cross-scale : A multi-spacecraft mission to study cross-scale coupling in space plasmas
- 2006
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Ingår i: European Space Agency, (Special Publication) ESA SP. ; , s. 561-568
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Collisionless astrophysical plasmas exhibit complexity on many scales: if we are to understand their properties and effects, we must measure this complexity. We can identify a small number of processes and phenomena, one of which is dominant in almost every space plasma region of interest: shocks, reconnection and turbulence. These processes act to transfer energy between locations, scales and modes. However, this transfer is characterised by variability and 3D structure on at least three scales: electron kinetic, ion kinetic and fluid. It is the nonlinear interaction between physical processes at these scales that is the key to understanding these phenomena and predicting their effects. However, current and planned multi-spacecraft missions such as Cluster and MMS only study variations on one scale in 3D at any given time - we must measure the three scales simultaneously fully to understand the energy transfer processes. We propose a mission, called Cross-Scale, to study these processes. Cross-Scale would comprise three nested groups, each consisting of up to four spacecraft. Each group would have a different spacecraft separation, at approximately the electron and ion gyroradii, and a larger MHD scale. We would therefore be able to measure variations on all three important physical scales, simultaneously, for the first time. The spacecraft would fly in formation through key regions of near-Earth space: The solar wind, bowshock, magnetosheath, magnetopause and magnetotail.
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| 20. |
- Louarn, P., et al.
(författare)
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Multiscale views of an Alfvenic slow solar wind : 3D velocity distribution functions observed by the Proton-Alpha Sensor of Solar Orbiter
- 2021
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Ingår i: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 656
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Context. The Alfvenic slow solar wind is of particular interest, as it is often characterized by intense magnetic turbulence, complex proton 3D velocity distribution functions (VDF), and an ensuing richness of kinetic and dynamic processes.Aims. We take advantage of the fast time cadence of measurements taken by the Proton-Alpha Sensor (PAS) on board Solar Orbiter to analyze the kinetic properties of the proton population, the variability of their VDFs, and the possible link with propagating magnetic structures. We also study the magnetic (B) and velocity (V) correlation that characterizes this type of wind down to the ion gyroperiod.Methods. We analyzed the VDFs measured by PAS, a novelty that take advantages of the capability of 3D measurements at a 4 Hz cadence. In addition, we considered MAG observations.Results. We first show that there is a remarkable correlation between the B and V components observed down to timescales approaching the ion gyrofrequency. This concerns a wide variety of fluctuations, such as waves, isolated peaks, and discontinuities. The great variability of the proton VDFs is also documented. The juxtaposition of a core and a field-aligned beam is the norm but the relative density of the beam, drift speed, and temperatures can considerably change on scales as short as as a few seconds. The characteristics of the core are comparatively more stable. These variations in the beam characteristics mostly explain the variations in the total parallel temperature and, therefore, in the total anisotropy of the proton VDFs. Two magnetic structures that are associated with significant changes in the shape of VDFs, one corresponding to relaxation of total anisotropy and the other to its strong increase, are analyzed here. Our statistical analysis shows a clear link between total anisotropy (and, thus, beam characteristics) and the direction of B with respect to the Parker spiral. In the present case, flux tubes aligned with Parker spiral contain an average proton VDF with a much more developed beam (thus, with larger total anisotropy) than those that are inclined, perpendicular, or even reverse with regard to the outward direction.Conclusions. These observations document the variability of the proton VDF shape in relation to the propagation of magnetic structures. This is a key area of interest for understanding of the effect of turbulence on solar wind dynamics.
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| 21. |
- Pisa, D., et al.
(författare)
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First-year ion-acoustic wave observations in the solar wind by the RPW/TDS instrument on board Solar Orbiter
- 2021
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Ingår i: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 656
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Context. Electric field measurements of the Time Domain Sampler (TDS) receiver, part of the Radio and Plasma Waves (RPW) instrument on board Solar Orbiter, often exhibit very intense broadband wave emissions at frequencies below 20 kHz in the spacecraft frame. During the first year of the mission, the RPW/TDS instrument was operating from the first perihelion in mid-June 2020 and through the first flyby of Venus in late December 2020. Aims. In this paper, we present a year-long study of electrostatic fluctuations observed in the solar wind at an interval of heliocentric distances from 0.5 to 1 AU. The RPW/TDS observations provide a nearly continuous data set for a statistical study of intense waves below the local plasma frequency. Methods. The on-board and continuously collected and processed properties of waveform snapshots allow for the mapping plasma waves at frequencies between 200 Hz and 20 kHz. We used the triggered waveform snapshots and a Doppler-shifted solution of the dispersion relation for wave mode identification in order to carry out a detailed spectral and polarization analysis. Results. Electrostatic ion-acoustic waves are the most common wave emissions observed between the local electron and proton plasma frequency by the TDS receiver during the first year of the mission. The occurrence rate of ion-acoustic waves peaks around perihelion at distances of 0.5 AU and decreases with increasing distances, with only a few waves detected per day at 0.9 AU. Waves are more likely to be observed when the local proton moments and magnetic field are highly variable. A more detailed analysis of more than 10 000 triggered waveform snapshots shows the mean wave frequency at about 3 kHz and wave amplitude about 2.5 mV m(-1). The wave amplitude varies as R-1.38 with the heliocentric distance. The relative phase distribution between two components of the E-field projected in the Y - Z Spacecraft Reference Frame (SRF) plane shows a mostly linear wave polarization. Electric field fluctuations are closely aligned with the directions of the ambient field lines. Only a small number (3%) of ion-acoustic waves are observed at larger magnetic discontinuities.
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| 22. |
- Volwerk, M., et al.
(författare)
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Solar Orbiter's first Venus flyby MAG observations of structures and waves associated with the induced Venusian magnetosphere
- 2021
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Ingår i: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 656
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Context. The induced magnetosphere of Venus is caused by the interaction of the solar wind and embedded interplanetary magnetic field with the exosphere and ionosphere of Venus. Solar Orbiter entered Venus's magnetotail far downstream, > 70 Venus radii, of the planet and exited the magnetosphere over the north pole. This offered a unique view of the system over distances that had only been flown through before by three other missions, Mariner 10, Galileo, and BepiColombo.Aims. In this study, we study the large-scale structure and activity of the induced magnetosphere as well as the high-frequency plasma waves both in the magnetosphere and in a limited region upstream of the planet where interaction with Venus's exosphere is expected.Methods. The large-scale structure of the magnetosphere was studied with low-pass filtered data and identified events are investigated with a minimum variance analysis as well as combined with plasma data. The high-frequency plasma waves were studied with spectral analysis.Results. We find that Venus's magnetotail is very active during the Solar Orbiter flyby. Structures such as flux ropes and reconnection sites were encountered, in addition to a strong overdraping of the magnetic field downstream of the bow shock and planet. High-frequency plasma waves (up to six times the local proton cyclotron frequency) are observed in the magnetotail, which are identified as Doppler-shifted proton cyclotron waves, whereas in the upstream solar wind, these waves appear just below the proton cyclotron frequency (as expected) but are very patchy. The bow shock is quasi-perpendicular, however, expected mirror mode activity is not found directly behind it; instead, there is strong cyclotron wave power. This is most likely caused by the relatively low plasma-beta behind the bow shock. Much further downstream, magnetic hole or mirror mode structures are identified in the magnetosheath.
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| 23. |
- Rojo, M., et al.
(författare)
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Electron moments derived from the Mercury Electron Analyzer during the cruise phase of BepiColombo
- 2024
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Ingår i: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 683
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aims. We derive electron density and temperature from observations obtained by the Mercury Electron Analyzer on board Mio during the cruise phase of BepiColombo while the spacecraft is in a stacked configuration. Methods. In order to remove the secondary electron emission contribution, we first fit the core electron population of the solar wind with a Maxwellian distribution. We then subtract the resulting distribution from the complete electron spectrum, and suppress the residual count rates observed at low energies. Hence, our corrected count rates consist of the sum of the fitted Maxwellian core electron population with a contribution at higher energies. We finally estimate the electron density and temperature from the corrected count rates using a classical integration method. We illustrate the results of our derivation for two case studies, including the second Venus flyby of BepiColombo when the Solar Orbiter spacecraft was located nearby, and for a statistical study using observations obtained to date for distances to the Sun ranging from 0.3 to 0.9 AU. Results. When compared either to measurements of Solar Orbiter or to measurements obtained by HELIOS and Parker Solar Probe, our method leads to a good estimation of the electron density and temperature. Hence, despite the strong limitations arising from the stacked configuration of BepiColombo during its cruise phase, we illustrate how we can retrieve reasonable estimates for the electron density and temperature for timescales from days down to several seconds.
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| 24. |
- Trotta, D., et al.
(författare)
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Three-dimensional modelling of the shock-turbulence interaction
- 2023
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Ingår i: Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. - : Oxford University Press. - 0035-8711 .- 1365-2966. ; 525:2, s. 1856-1866
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The complex interaction between shocks and plasma turbulence is extremely important to address crucial features of energy conversion in a broad range of astrophysical systems. We study the interaction between a supercritical, perpendicular shock and pre-existing, fully developed plasma turbulence, employing a novel combination of magnetohydrodynamic and small-scale, hybrid-kinetic simulations where a shock is propagating through a turbulent medium. The variability of the shock front in the unperturbed case and for two levels of upstream fluctuations is addressed. We find that the behaviour of shock ripples, i.e. shock surface fluctuations with short (a few ion skin depths, di) wavelengths, is modified by the presence of pre-existing turbulence, which also induces strong corrugations of the shock front at larger scales. We link this complex behaviour of the shock front and the shock downstream structuring with the proton temperature anisotropies produced in the shock-turbulence system. Finally, we put our modelling effort in the context of spacecraft observations, elucidating the role of novel cross-scale, multispacecraft measurements in resolving shock front irregularities at different scales. These results are relevant for a broad range of astrophysical systems characterized by the presence of shock waves interacting with plasma turbulence.
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| 25. |
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