Tracking the development of space weather sources through interplanetary space

Breen, A.R. and Woan, G. (2003) Tracking the development of space weather sources through interplanetary space. In: EGS - AGU - EUG Joint Assembly, Nice, France, 6-11 Apr 2003,

Abstract

Coronal observations using space-based X-ray, U-V and white-light instruments have transformed our knowledge of solar activity and particularly of the eruptive events which can give rise to non-recurrent geomagnetic storms. These measurements have been generally restricted to regions near the Sun, and although this will change with SMEI and STEREO the amount of information on the velocity of the background solar wind - essential for understanding the degree of interaction between the interplanetary extensions of coronal mass ejections (iCMEs) and the solar wind, as well as the development of the co-rotating interaction regions (CIRs) which can give rise to recurrent geomagnetic storms - is likely to remain limited over distance ranges between 30-40 solar radii (R) and 214-215 R. Observations using the technique of Interplanetary Scintillation (IPS) can be used to measure velocities in the solar wind (as well as density-proxies and turbulent-scale properties) across this range of distances and so can provide valuable complimentary information on the evolution of space weather source regions with radial distance. This poster describes recent results covering the development of CIRs and the propagagtion of iCMEs before going on to discuss the requirements for a next-generation IPS system which would complement the new generation of space-based instruments in greatly increasing the information available on the evolution of space weather sources.

• Item Type: Conference Proceedings
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Woan, Professor Graham
• Authors: Breen, A.R., and Woan, G.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy
• Research Centre: College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy > Institute for Gravitational Research