Publication Date:
2011-08-18
Description:
Recent investigations using measurements at 1 AU have discovered three types of long term variation in the interplanetary magnetic field: solar minimum decreases, solar maximum enhancements, and small decreases around solar reversal. In this study the 1972-1982 Helios 1, 2, ISEE-3, and Pioneer 10, 11 observations between 0.3 and 12 AU are examined to further investigate these changes. It was found that all three IMF solar cycle effects are also present in the Helios and Pioneer measurements, confirming that these variations occur throughout the low latitude heliosphere. In addition, the comparison of measurements by identical magnetometers on ISEE-3, Pioneer 10 and Pioneer 11 has revealed a more rapid decrease in IMF intensity than predicted by classical Parker theory. Causes and ramifications of both the long term variations and steeper-than-expected radial gradients in the interplanetary magnetic field are discussed.
Keywords:
SOLAR PHYSICS
Type:
Geophysical Research Letters (ISSN 0094-8276); 11; 279-282
Format:
text
