Understanding the Heliosphere with Jets Using Energetic Neutral Atoms
Abstract
The Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) has been probing the global structure of the heliosphere using energetic neutral atoms (ENAs). McComas et al. (2013) showed the presence of two high latitude lobes of increased ENA flux at higher energies in IBEX measurements. It was suggested that these measurements could be the result of slow/fast wind in the heliosphere affecting the measured ENA flux. Recently, Opher et al. (2015) proposed the heliosphere might have two turbulent jets in the tail region, as opposed to the classically view of a quiescent, comet-like structure in the tail. If confirmed, this heliosphere with jets model would significantly change our understanding of how the interstellar medium interacts with the solar wind. We use the Opher et al. (2015) model to create simulated ENA maps of the heliosphere. Our ENA code is based on a previously created code from Prested et al. (2008) and Opher et al. (2013). We incorporate multiple pick-up ion populations, extinction along streamlines, and a pick-up ion profile based on Vasyliunas & Siscoe (1976) that depends on the latitude and longitude with respect to the neutral streaking direction. Using our MHD model with a uniform solar wind, we find two high latitude lobes present in our simulated maps which are consistent with IBEX measurements. We also find small-scale changes in the lobes resulting from turbulence in the jets, which should be observable by IBEX or IMAP.
- Publication:
-
Solar Heliospheric and INterplanetary Environment (SHINE 2017)
- Pub Date:
- July 2017
- Bibcode:
- 2017shin.confE.167K