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Detailed Reference Information |
Bruno, R., Burlaga, L.F. and Hundhausen, A.J. (1982). Quadrupole distortions of the heliospheric current sheet in 1976 and 1977. Journal of Geophysical Research 87: doi: 10.1029/JA080i012p10339. issn: 0148-0227. |
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Latitudinal variations in the position of the heliospheric current sheet were investigated using interplanetary measurements from Helios A. Helios B. IMP8, and white light corona measurements in the period May 1976 to May 1977. The latitude of the heliospheric current sheet between 0.3 AU and IAU is consistent with that of the maximum brightness curve of white light polarization brightness at 1.75 solar radii within approximately ¿7¿. The combined data sets show that the four-sector magnetic sector pattern observed in the ecliptic plane for most of this epoch could be attributed to a warped current sheet whose shape near the sun resembles a saddle surface that is nearly symmetrical about the equatorial plane. The latitudinal extent of the current sheet is on the average 8¿ and the maximum extent is 15¿ (except on one rotation, when it is 20¿). These results can be interpreted as a consequence of the solar magnetic field, the dominant components of the field being due to a dipole nearly aligned with the sun's spin axis and a quadrupole component whose strength is ~17% of the dipole. |
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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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