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The Solar Wind Angular Momentum Flux as Observed by Parker Solar Probe
Author | Finley, Adam; Matt, Sean; eville, Victor; Pinto, Rui; Owens, Mathew; Kasper, Justin; Korreck, Kelly; Case, A.; Stevens, Michael; Whittlesey, Phyllis; Larson, Davin; Livi, Roberto; |
Keywords | Parker Data Used; parker solar probe; Solar evolution; Solar Physics; Solar Probe Plus; Solar rotation; Solar wind; Stellar evolution; Stellar physics; Stellar rotation |
Abstract | he long-term evolution of the Sun\textquoterights rotation period cannot be directly observed, and is instead inferred from trends in the measured rotation periods of other Sun-like stars. Assuming the Sun spins down as it ages, following rotation rate proportional to age(-1/2), requires the current\ solar\ angular momentum (AM) loss rate to be around 6 x 10(30)erg. Magnetohydrodynamic models, and previous observations of the\ solar\ wind (from the Helios and Wind spacecraft), generally predict a values closer to 1 x 10(30)erg or 3 x 10(30)erg, respectively. Recently, the\ Parker\ Solar\ Probe\ (PSP) observed tangential\ solar\ wind speeds as high as similar to 50 km s(-1)in a localized region of the inner heliosphere. If such rotational flows were prevalent throughout the corona, it would imply that the\ solar\ wind AM-loss rate is an order of magnitude larger than all of those previous estimations. In this Letter, we evaluate the AM flux in the\ solar\ wind, using data from the first two orbits of PSP. The\ solar\ wind is observed to contain both large positive (as seen during perihelion), and negative AM fluxes. We analyze two\ solar\ wind streams that were repeatedly traversed by PSP; the first is a slow wind stream whose average AM flux fluctuates between positive and negative values, and the second is an intermediate speed stream that contains a positive AM flux (more consistent with a constant flow of AM). When the data from PSP are evaluated holistically, the average equatorial AM flux implies a global AM-loss rate of around (2.6-4.2) x 10(30)erg (which is more consistent with observations from previous spacecraft). |
Year of Publication | 2020 |
Journal | The Astrophysical Journal |
Volume | 902 |
Number of Pages | L4 |
Section | |
Date Published | 10/2020 |
ISBN | |
URL | https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/2041-8213/abb9a5 |
DOI | 10.3847/2041-8213/abb9a5 |