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Solar magnetic field reversal as seen at Ulysses
Author(s) -
Jones Geraint H.,
Balogh André,
Smith Edward J.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2003gl017204
Subject(s) - heliospheric current sheet , physics , dipole , dipole model of the earth's magnetic field , interplanetary magnetic field , solar wind , mercury's magnetic field , equator , solar rotation , solar maximum , magnetic field , latitude , coronal mass ejection , magnetic dipole , solar minimum , solar physics , astronomy , solar cycle , quantum mechanics
The rapid motion of the Ulysses spacecraft from high southern to high northern latitudes in 2000–2001 provided an excellent opportunity to make inferences regarding the solar magnetic dipole's behaviour around solar maximum. A simple dipole model is fitted to Ulysses measurements of the polarity of the heliospheric magnetic field mapped back to the solar wind source surface. Although higher order components of the field are ignored, the gradual reversal in orientation of the dipole field component can be followed during solar maximum, with the dipole axis crossing the solar equator during early 2000–early 2001. The dipole appears to exhibit a rotation at a slower rate than the Carrington frame of reference, similar to previous measurements made around solar maximum in the solar equatorial regions.