Open AccessOn the origin of microscale magnetic holes in the solar wind
Author(s) -
Zurbuchen T. H.,
Hefti S.,
Fisk L. A.,
Gloeckler G.,
Schwadron N. A.,
Smith C. W.,
Ness N. F.,
Skoug R. M.,
McComas D. J.,
Burlaga L. F.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
journal of geophysical research: space physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.67
H-Index - 298
eISSN - 2156-2202
pISSN - 0148-0227
DOI - 10.1029/2000ja000119
Subject(s) - microscale chemistry , solar wind , interplanetary magnetic field , physics , magnetic field , heliosphere , magnetic flux , magnetic reconnection , astrophysics , plasma , interplanetary spaceflight , geophysics , mathematics education , mathematics , quantum mechanics
Magnetic holes are sudden changes in the magnetic field intensity | B | from typical interplanetary values (∼10 nT) to less than 1 nT in a matter of seconds. The intensity then recovers within seconds or up to ∼30 min later. These | B | dropouts can be seen daily. Less often observed, but even more dramatic, are magnetic field depletions that last for up to several hours. We use selected periods of magnetic flux dropouts observed with various sensors of the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE), which has a unique combination of magnetic field, plasma, and composition experiments, to establish the origin of these peculiar objects. We conclude that these microscale magnetic holes very likely develop in the heliosphere and are not of direct solar origin. We also suggest a possible formation mechanism associated with magnetic reconnection close to the Sun.