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Detailed Reference Information |
Siregar, E., Roberts, D.A. and Goldstein, M.L. (1992). An evolving MHD vortex street model for quasi-periodic solar wind fluctuations. Geophysical Research Letters 19: doi: 10.1029/92GL01616. issn: 0094-8276. |
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We use magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulation to provide a dynamical basis for the ''vortex street'' model of the quasi-periodic meridional flow observed by Voyager 2 in the outer heliosphere. Various observations suggests that near the current sheet at solar minimum one can expect to find a vorticity distribution of two opposite shear layers with an antisymmetric staggered vorticity pattern due to structured high-speed wind surrounding low-speed equatorial flow. We show that this flow pattern leads to the formation of a highly stable vortex street through the nonlinear interaction of the two shear layers. Spatial profiles of various simulated parameters (velocity, density, meridional flow angle and the location of magnetic sector boundaries) and their relative locations in the quasi-steady vortex street are generally in good agreement with the observations. A strong, flow-aligned magnetic field, such as would occur in the inner heliosphere, inhibits the development of the street which would then be masked by the background interplanetary turbulence. The flow produced by the street induces a (relatively small) transport of plasma and magnetic flux as a result of the meridional flow away from the ecliptic region. ¿ American Geophysical Union 1992 |
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Abstract |
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Keywords
Interplanetary Physics, MHD waves and turbulence, Interplanetary Physics, Solar wind plasma, Interplanetary Physics, Interplanetary magnetic fields, Space Plasma Physics, Waves and instabilities |
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Publisher
American Geophysical Union 2000 Florida Avenue N.W. Washington, D.C. 20009-1277 USA 1-202-462-6900 1-202-328-0566 service@agu.org |
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