The Solar Probe Cup on the Parker Solar Probe

Case, A. W.; Kasper, J. C.; Stevens, Michael L.; Korreck, K. E.; Paulson, K. W.; Daigneau, Peter; Caldwell, Dave; Freeman, Mark D.; Henry, Thayne; Klingensmith, Brianna; Bookbinder, Jay A.; Robinson, Miles; Berg, Peter; Tiu, Chris; Wright, K. H.; Reinhart, M.J.; Curtis, D. W.; Ludlam, M.; Larson, D. E.; Whittlesey, P. L.; Livi, R.; Klein, K. G.; Martinović, M.

doi:10.3847/1538-4365/ab5a7b

Cited by 183 publications

(112 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…Over the lifetime of the mission, the perihelion of PSP has gradually lowered through the use of Venus gravity assists. The observations shown here are 1-minute moment averages of bulk solar wind measurements from the Solar Probe Cup (SPC Case et al 2020), which is part of the Solar Wind Electrons Alpha and Protons (SWEAP) instrument suite (Kasper et al 2016), along with 1-min averages of magnetic field measurements from the FIELDS suite (Bale et al 2016). To identify SIRs and CIRs, the solar wind tangential flow deflection is computed using the equation α tan = tan −1 (v T /v R ), where v T and v R are the tangential and radial velocity components, respectively, in the radial-tangential-normal (RTN) coordinate system.…”

Section: Parker Solar Probementioning

confidence: 99%

A living catalog of stream interaction regions in the Parker Solar Probe era

Allen

Jian

et al. 2021

A&A

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Stream interaction regions (SIRs) and corotating interaction regions (CIRs) are important phenomena in heliospheric physics. These large-scale structures vary temporally and spatially, both in latitude and with radial distance. The additions of Parker Solar Probe (PSP) and Solar Orbiter have allowed for investigations into the radial evolution of these structures over a wide range of heliocentric distances for the first time since the Helios era. To better enable investigations of SIRs and CIRs within the inner heliosphere, we have developed a living catalog of SIR and CIR observations by Parker Solar Probe with corresponding observations by STEREO-A as well as ACE and Wind at 1 au. The methodology used for the identification of events and the generation of this catalog, the initial catalog of PSP observations spanning orbits one through five along with corresponding 1 au observations, and information on accessing the living catalog for future studies is described. This list of SIR and CIR events from PSP and corresponding observations from other heliophysics missions will enable case studies utilizing unique orbital arrangements, as well as aid in future statistical studies to further understand the properties and evolution of these structures.

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Section: Parker Solar Probementioning

confidence: 99%

A living catalog of stream interaction regions in the Parker Solar Probe era

Allen

Jian

et al. 2021

A&A

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“…The PSP mission (Fox et al, 2016) was launched into a heliocentric orbit around the Sun on August 12, 2018. This study uses 1-min averages of bulk solar wind measurements from the Solar Probe Cup (SPC; Case et al, 2020), part of the Solar Wind Electrons Alpha and Protons (SWEAP) instrument suite (Kasper et al, 2016). Magnetic field measurements are provided by the FIELDS suite (Bale et al, 2016), and are averaged into a 1-min resolution product.…”

Section: Parker Solar Probementioning

confidence: 99%

Radial Evolution of a CIR: Observations From a Nearly Radially Aligned Event Between Parker Solar Probe and STEREO‐A

Allen

Mason

et al. 2021

Geophysical Research Letters

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The addition of Parker Solar Probe (PSP) to the Heliophysics System Observatory has allowed for the unprecedented ability to study Corotating Interaction Regions (CIRs) at multiple radial distances without significant temporal/longitudinal variations. On September 19, 2019, PSP observed a CIR at ∼0.5 au when it was nearly radially aligned with the Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory‐Ahead (STEREO‐A) spacecraft at ∼1 au, allowing for an unambiguous assessment of the radial evolution of a single CIR. Bulk plasma and magnetic field signatures of the CIR evolve in a fashion characteristic to previous observations; however, the suprathermal ions are enhanced over a larger longitudinal range at PSP than at STEREO‐A, although at much lower intensities. The longitudinal spread appears to be largely a consequence of magnetic field line topology at CIRs between the compressed slow solar wind upstream and high‐speed stream following the CIR, underscoring the importance of the large‐scale topology of these structures.

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“…The magnetic field sensors include two fluxgate magnetometers (FGM) and one search coil magnetometer (SCM) mounted to the magnetometer boom. The low-energy particle instrument suite, SWEAP, consists of four detectors: the Solar Probe Cup (SPC), a Faraday cup pointing normal to the heat shield plane (Case et al, 2020), two SPANe electron detectors (Whittlesey et al, 2020), one on either side of the spacecraft but behind the heat shield, and one SPANi ion detector, also behind the heat shield. The SPAN detectors are top hat electrostatic analyzers measuring the distributions of electrons or protons from a few eV to ∼30 keV, at a cadence of ∼13.98 s for the second Venus encounter.…”

Section: Data and Processingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Plasma Double Layers at the Boundary Between Venus and the Solar Wind

Malaspina

Goodrich

Livi

et al. 2020

Geophysical Research Letters

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The solar wind is slowed, deflected, and heated as it encounters Venus's induced magnetosphere. The importance of kinetic plasma processes to these interactions has not been examined in detail, due to a lack of constraining observations. In this study, kinetic-scale electric field structures are identified in the Venusian magnetosheath, including plasma double layers. The double layers may be driven by currents or mixing of inhomogeneous plasmas near the edge of the magnetosheath. Estimated double-layer spatial scales are consistent with those reported at Earth. Estimated potential drops are similar to electron temperature gradients across the bow shock. Many double layers are found in few high cadence data captures, suggesting that their amplitudes are high relative to other magnetosheath plasma waves. These are the first direct observations of plasma double layers beyond near-Earth space, supporting the idea that kinetic plasma processes are active in many space plasma environments. Plain Language Summary Venus has no internally generated magnetic field, yet electric currents running through its ionized upper atmosphere create magnetic fields that push back against the flow of the solar wind. These induced fields cause the solar wind to slow and heat as the flow is deflected around Venus. This work reports observations of very small plasma structures that accelerate particles, identifiable by their characteristic electric field signatures, at the boundary where the solar wind starts to be deflected. These small plasma structures observed at Venus have been studied in near-Earth space for decades but have never before been found near another planet. These structures are known to be important to the physics of strong electrical currents in space plasmas and the blending of dissimilar plasmas. Their identification at Venus is a strong demonstration that these small plasma structures are a universal plasma phenomena, at work in many plasma environments.

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The Solar Probe Cup on the Parker Solar Probe

Cited by 183 publications

References 17 publications

A living catalog of stream interaction regions in the Parker Solar Probe era

A living catalog of stream interaction regions in the Parker Solar Probe era

Radial Evolution of a CIR: Observations From a Nearly Radially Aligned Event Between Parker Solar Probe and STEREO‐A

Plasma Double Layers at the Boundary Between Venus and the Solar Wind

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