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Smith et al. 2004
Smith, C.W., Mullan, D.J. and Ness, N.F. (2004). Further evidence of wave refraction associated with extended rarefaction events in the solar wind. Journal of Geophysical Research 109. doi: 10.1029/2003JA010113. issn: 0148-0227.

We examine the turbulence and low-frequency wave properties of three extended rarefaction intervals observed by the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) spacecraft in 1999 and 2002 while in orbit at L1. The proton densities drop to values lower than 1 cm-3 and in one case reach 0.1 cm-3. During each interval, the amplitudes of magnetic fluctuations fall to unusually low levels. Moreover, the fluctuations that are present are more Alfv¿nic in nature than in the typical low-latitude wind. The constant and near average interplanetary magnetic field during these times results in elevated Alfv¿n speeds. We suggest that the relative isolation of the rarefaction intervals from sources of turbulence-generating transients allows wave refraction to become a significant dynamic controlling the evolution of the magnetized plasma. We present analyses of the intervals that support the hypothesis that wave refraction explains the reduced fluctuation levels and enhanced Alfv¿nicity during these times.

BACKGROUND DATA FILES

Abstract

Keywords
Interplanetary Physics, MHD waves and turbulence, Interplanetary Physics, Plasma waves and turbulence, Interplanetary Physics, Interplanetary magnetic fields, Space Plasma Physics, Wave/wave interactions, plasma waves, solar wind, wave reflection
Journal
Journal of Geophysical Research
http://www.agu.org/journals/jb/
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
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