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An unusual current sheet in an ICME: Possible association with C/2006 P1 (McNaught)
Author(s) -
Russell C. T.,
Jian L. K.,
Luhmann J. G.
Publication year - 2009
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 - 10.1029/2009gl037615
Subject(s) - current sheet , physics , heliospheric current sheet , interplanetary spaceflight , coronal mass ejection , solar wind , interplanetary dust cloud , interplanetary magnetic field , plasma sheet , astronomy , magnetosphere , astrophysics , magnetic field , solar system , magnetohydrodynamics , quantum mechanics
On December 15, 2006, a strong ICME crossed the twin STEREO spacecraft while they were still close together in near‐Earth space. In the midst of this traversal, a strong current sheet was observed in the magnetic records, whose properties are inconsistent with our present understanding of the magnetic structure of an interplanetary coronal mass ejection (ICME). A possible cause of this current sheet is the extended dust trail of C/2006 P1 (McNaught), whose orbital plane the ICME traversed close to the Sun. If this association is correct, then charged dust can produce twists in the interplanetary magnetic field that can persist for an AU or longer. Further, as a result of this electromagnetic interaction, small dust particles can be carried out of the solar system.