Particle propagation channel detected at 4.7 AU inside a corotating interaction region

• Published in: Journal of Geophysical Research 1998-05, Vol.103 (A5), p.9545-9551
• Main Authors: Maia, D., Malandraki, O., Pick, M., Sarris, E. T., Kasotakis, G., Lanzerotti, L. J., MacLennan, C. G., Trochoutsos, P. C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Astronomy; Earth, ocean, space; Exact sciences and technology; Interplanetary space; Solar system; Solar wind plasma
• ISSN: 0148-0227; 2156-2202
• DOI: 10.1029/97JA02964

This study presents an interplanetary particle (electrons and ions) event which was detected at 4.7 AU by the instruments on the Ulysses spacecraft inside a corotating interaction region between a fast and slow solar wind stream. A particle propagation channel is identified where the particles can propagate from the Sun nearly scatter free within a region bounded by tangential discontinuities. This channel is found to be rooted in the vicinity of a solar active region where the flare associated with the interplanetary event was produced. The ions (energy over 600 keV) detected inside this channel are shown to be of solar origin: dispersion occurs in the proton arrival time versus proton energy, there is a strong anisotropy in the proton pitch angle distribution, and a hard energy‐spectrum for the protons. The electrons were already present when the spacecraft crossed the structure. The chemical composition is also indicative of a solar origin, with a decrease in the 4He/H (4He in the energy range 389–1278 keV and H in the range 480–1204 keV) abundance ratio by a factor of 2 inside the channel. Mapped back to the solar surface, the size of the propagation channel is estimated to be of the order of 30,000 km. The channel is found to be magnetically quiet, without a preferred direction for the minimum of variance.