Excitation of low-frequency waves in the solar wind by newborn interstellar pickup ions H(+) and He(+) as seen by Voyager at 4.5 AU
Abstract
We report the observation of a spectral enhancement in the magnetic field fluctuations measured by the MAG instrument on the Voyager 2 spacecraft during 4.5 hr on DOY 7, 1979 at a heliocentric radial position of 4.5 AU. This time period is contained within a solar wind rarefaction when the large-scale interplanetary magnetic field was nearly radial. The frequency range and polarization of the enhanced fluctuations are consistent with waves generated by newly ionized interstellar H(+) and He(+). We show sunward propagation of the waves via a cross-helicity analysis. We compare the observation with a theoretical model and find reasonable agreement given the model assumptions. This event is the first indication of pickup ion-generated waves seen at Voyager. It is also the first identification of pickup He(+) waves by any spacecraft.
Department
Physics
Publication Date
12-1-2010
Journal Title
Astrophysical Journal
Publisher
IOP PUBLISHING LTD
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
10.1088/0004-637X/724/2/1256
Document Type
Article
Recommended Citation
Joyce, Colin J.; Smith, Charles W.; Isenberg, Philip A.; Murphy, Neil; and Schwadron, Nathan A., "Excitation of low-frequency waves in the solar wind by newborn interstellar pickup ions H(+) and He(+) as seen by Voyager at 4.5 AU" (2010). Astrophysical Journal. 23.
https://scholars.unh.edu/physics_facpub/23
Rights
© 2010. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.