EarthRef.org Reference Database (ERR)
Development and Maintenance by the EarthRef.org Database Team

Detailed Reference Information
Freeman & Lopez 1985
Freeman, J.W. and Lopez, R.E. (1985). The cold solar wind. Journal of Geophysical Research 90: doi: 10.1029/JA080i010p09885. issn: 0148-0227.

From 3 to 10% of the time, the solar wind has a radial proton temperature between 15,000¿K and 3500¿K (the lowest recorded temperature). This ''cold'' component shows some very important features that make it worthy of special study. It shows a temperature dependence on heliocentric distance that is nearly adiabatic. When extrapolated back to 3 Rs, assuming adiabatic cooling, the resulting temperature for this cold component is in good agreement with coronal temperatures near the sonic point. Most importantly, the proton velocities and densities associated with this cold component match those predicted by solar wind models that do not incorporate significant wave heating. We conclude that this is one solar wind component that fit well with appropriate models.

BACKGROUND DATA FILES

Abstract

Journal
Journal of Geophysical Research
http://www.agu.org/journals/jb/
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
Click to clear formClick to return to previous pageClick to submit