Geoeffectiveness of Solar Wind High Speed Streams: Baseline Magnetic Field and Fluctuation Amplitude
Abstract
In this study, we examine the relative geoeffectiveness of solar wind high speed streams (HSSs), which are periods of elevated solar wind speed with very large magnetic fluctuations. Solar coronal holes produce HSSs that intercept Earth as the Sun's rotation brings the coronal hole to face Earth. When a HSS passes over Earth, it can have a variety of geomagnetic effects, producing magnetic storms and other kinds of space weather. Understanding the factors in HSSs that lead to potentially hazardous space weather is an important part of space weather prediction, especially in the coming years as we approach a minimum in the solar cycle when HSSs are more common. We have identified a dataset of HSS and have calculated the baseline magnetic field as well as the fluctuation amplitude relative to that baseline. We will examine the geomagnetic effects of these streams to determine the effect of the baseline field and the fluctuation amplitude on the relative geoeffectiveness of the HSS on Earth's magnetosphere and ionosphere.
- Publication:
-
AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2017
- Bibcode:
- 2017AGUFMSM11A2298C
- Keywords:
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- 2724 Magnetopause and boundary layers;
- MAGNETOSPHERIC PHYSICS;
- 2728 Magnetosheath;
- MAGNETOSPHERIC PHYSICS;
- 2784 Solar wind/magnetosphere interactions;
- MAGNETOSPHERIC PHYSICS