Open AccessThe dynamics of velocity fluctuations in the solar wind – I. Coronal mass ejections
Author(s) -
Cantó J.,
González R. F.,
Raga A. C.,
De Gouveia Dal Pino E. M.,
Lara A.,
GonzálezEsparza J. A.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
monthly notices of the royal astronomical society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.058
H-Index - 383
eISSN - 1365-2966
pISSN - 0035-8711
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2966.2005.08670.x
Subject(s) - physics , coronal mass ejection , solar wind , corona (planetary geology) , space weather , supersonic speed , satellite , wind speed , astrophysics , computational physics , astronomy , mechanics , plasma , meteorology , astrobiology , quantum mechanics , venus
In this paper we present a simple, analytic model for the dynamical evolution of supersonic velocity fluctuations at the base of the ambient solar wind. These fluctuations result in the formation of dense working surfaces that travel down the wind. It is shown how the initial parameters of the fluctuations (velocity, density and duration) are related to the characteristics of the working surfaces far from the Sun (for instance at the Earth). We apply the model to the evolution of the coronal mass ejections in the IP medium, finding that the model is in good agreement with satellite observations of these phenomena, thus providing physical insight into their dynamical evolution. Our model may contribute to future ‘space weather forecasting’ on the Earth, based on detailed satellite monitoring of the solar corona.