an analysis of the 23 rd solar cycle’s high speed solar wind streams activity:

An analysis of the 23An analysis of the 23rdrd Solar Solar Cycle’sCycle’s

High Speed Solar Wind High Speed Solar Wind StreamsStreams activity: activity:sources of radiation hazards in Geospacesources of radiation hazards in Geospace

Space Weather Effects on Humans: in Space and on EarthSpace Research Institute, Moscow, Russia June 4-8, 2012

National and Kapodistrian University of AthensPhysics DepartmentNuclear and Particle Physics Section

Xystouris G.Xystouris G.

Sigala E.Sigala E.

Prof. Prof. MavromichalakMavromichalaki H.i H.

Xystouris G.Xystouris G.

Sigala E.Sigala E.

Prof. Prof. MavromichalakMavromichalaki H.i H.

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High Speed Solar Wind Streams (HSSWSs) and High Speed Solar Wind Streams (HSSWSs) and their naturetheir nature

└ What is an HSSWS?What is an HSSWS?└ Potential Hazards for the EarthPotential Hazards for the Earth

HSSWSs in 23HSSWSs in 23rdrd Solar Cycle Solar Cycle└ Categories of HSSWSsCategories of HSSWSs└ The table of HSSWSs in the 23The table of HSSWSs in the 23rdrd Solar Cycle Solar Cycle└ Distributions regarding their parametersDistributions regarding their parameters└ ConclusionsConclusions


Presentation OutlinePresentation Outline

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Intriligator, 1977Intriligator, 1977:: a rapidly increase of solar wind speed and a a rapidly increase of solar wind speed and a peak velocity equal or greater than 450km/s.peak velocity equal or greater than 450km/s.

Bame, 1976Bame, 1976 and and Gosling, 1976Gosling, 1976: an observed variation of solar : an observed variation of solar wind speed having an increment of at least 150 km/s within a 5–wind speed having an increment of at least 150 km/s within a 5–day interval.day interval.

Broussard, 1977Broussard, 1977: a period in which the solar wind speed is equal : a period in which the solar wind speed is equal or greater than 500 km/s, averaged over a day. or greater than 500 km/s, averaged over a day.

Lindblad, 1981Lindblad, 1981: a period in which the velocity difference between : a period in which the velocity difference between the smallest 3–hr velocity value and the largest 3–hr value of the the smallest 3–hr velocity value and the largest 3–hr value of the following day is equal or greater than 100 km/s and it lasts for at following day is equal or greater than 100 km/s and it lasts for at least two days.least two days.

Mavromichalaki et al, 1988; 1998Mavromichalaki et al, 1988; 1998: The difference between the : The difference between the maximum velocity and the mean plasma velocity between the maximum velocity and the mean plasma velocity between the speeds immediately preceding and following the stream is equal speeds immediately preceding and following the stream is equal or greater than 100 km/s, in a period lasting for at least two days.or greater than 100 km/s, in a period lasting for at least two days.

What is an HSSWS?What is an HSSWS?


HSSWSs and their natureHSSWSs and their nature

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The difference (The difference (ΔΔV) between the maximum velocity V) between the maximum velocity (V(Vmaxmax) and the mean plasma velocity of the speed ) and the mean plasma velocity of the speed immediately preceding and following the stream (Vimmediately preceding and following the stream (V00) is ) is equal or greater than 100 km/s, in a period lasting for equal or greater than 100 km/s, in a period lasting for at least two days.at least two days.

Why?Why? It is more adequate for the purpose of solar-It is more adequate for the purpose of solar-terrestrial studiesterrestrial studies It is in agreement with our previous studiesIt is in agreement with our previous studies

ΔΔV= VV= Vmaxmax - - VV00 ≥ 100km/s & ≥ 100km/s & ΔΔt t ≥ 2 days≥ 2 days


The definition of an HSSWS in this work:The definition of an HSSWS in this work:(Lindblad and Lundstedt, 1981; Mavromichalaki et al. 1988, 1999)

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Typical Example of a HSSWS:Typical Example of a HSSWS:


ΔV≥100km/s

Δt≥2 days

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Corotating Streams

Sources of HSSWSs


Produced by the Coronal Produced by the Coronal Holes (CH), in Quiet AreasHoles (CH), in Quiet Areas

N ~ 1/V |B| ~ V

T ~ V

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Flare Generated Streams

Produced by Flares activity Produced by Flares activity (FG), in Active Areas(FG), in Active Areas

* * Also, generated by * * Also, generated by CMEsCMEs

V, |B|, N, T:simultaneous increase with large variations

T, N: independent of VSOHO – May 2, 1998EIT 195Å, X1 Flare


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The HSSWSs contain very energetic particles, which are the The HSSWSs contain very energetic particles, which are the source of the solar radiation. Hazards are encounter in two source of the solar radiation. Hazards are encounter in two areas:areas:

GeospaceGeospace└ └ Hazard for satellites (technological instruments) and Hazard for satellites (technological instruments) and astronautsastronauts

Earth’s atmosphere and groundEarth’s atmosphere and ground└ └ Maximum danger for aircrafts’ passengersMaximum danger for aircrafts’ passengers└ └ Possible hazards for human health on the ground (many Possible hazards for human health on the ground (many indications from several studies) due to the radiation indications from several studies) due to the radiation interaction with Earth, inside and outside its atmosphere.interaction with Earth, inside and outside its atmosphere.


Potential Hazards for Earth

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HSSWSs in the 23HSSWSs in the 23rdrd Solar Solar CycleCycle

(May 1996 – December 2008)(May 1996 – December 2008)


Based on structure:Based on structure:● Simple HSSWSSimple HSSWS● HSSWS with Multiple PeaksHSSWS with Multiple Peaks● HSSWS with Data GapsHSSWS with Data Gaps

Interrupted HSSWS Interrupted HSSWS (duration less than (duration less than 2 days)2 days)

└ └ Interruption in Ascending PhaseInterruption in Ascending Phase └ └ Interruption in Descending PhaseInterruption in Descending Phase

Based on the existence of another HSSWS:Based on the existence of another HSSWS:→ → Cases of Cases of Consecutive HSSWSsConsecutive HSSWSs

Categories of HSSWSsCategories of HSSWSs

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a) Simple HSSWSb) HSSWS withMultiple Peaks

c) HSSWS withData Gaps

d) Interrupted HSSWSe) Case ofConsecutive

HSSWSs

Schematically each categorySchematically each category

(example of CH)(example of FG)


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Phases of 23Phases of 23rdrd Solar Cycle Solar Cycle


Su

nspo

t Num

ber

Source: OMNIWeb database (http://omniweb.gsfc.nasa.gov/ow.html)

Ascending PhaseMay 1996 – Apr. 1999

MaximumMay 1999 – Dec. 2002

Descending PhaseJan. 2003 – Dec. 2006

MinimumJan. 2007 – Dec. 2008

General remarks for the 23General remarks for the 23rdrd Solar Cycle: Solar Cycle:• Very energetic Solar CycleVery energetic Solar Cycle• Extended Solar Activity in the Descending PhaseExtended Solar Activity in the Descending Phase• Secondary MaximumSecondary Maximum• Extended MinimumExtended Minimum

Extreme Solar EventsJuly 14, 2000April 15-18, 2001October 28-29, 2003November 4 & 20, 2003January 20, 2005December 13, 2006…

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Table of the 23Table of the 23rdrd Solar Cycles’ HSSWSs: Solar Cycles’ HSSWSs:

Sources:OMNIWeb database (http://omniweb.gsfc.nasa.gov/ow.html)National Space Science Data Center database (http://solarscience.msfc.nasa.gov/)National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (ftp://ftp.ngdc.noaa.gov/STP/SOLAR_DATA/SOLAR_FLARES/FLARES_XRAY/)Maris O., Maris G., 2005;


No dd/mm/yyyy HH:mmBartel

Rotation No Day

IMF Polarity Date of maximum V0 [km/s] Vmax [km/s] Duration [days]

Category Source

1 12/5/1996 14:00 2223 01 + / - 13/5/1996 21:00 326 508 2.54 S CH

2 15/5/1996 04:00 2223 04 - / + 15/5/1996 11:00 427 511 3.42 S CH

3 18/5/1996 14:00 2223 07 + / - 20/5/1996 20:00 308 481 5.46 S CH

4 24/5/1996 01:00 2223 13 + / - / + 25/5/1996 00:00 368 469 3.96 S ?

5 28/5/1996 22:00 2223 17 + / - 30/5/1996 00:00 344 465 4.75 S ?

6 5/6/1996 15:00 2223 25 + 6/6/1996 11:00 312 472 6.75 S CH

7 15/6/1996 20:00 2224 08 - 16/6/1996 08:00 332 428 3.04 S CH

8 18/6/1996 22:00 2224 11 + 19/6/1996 08:00 384 526 4 S CH

9 2/7/1996 12:00 2224 25 + 4/7/1996 03:00 341 554 8.25 S CH

10 11/7/1996 19:00 2225 07 + / - 13/7/1996 09:00 310 416 4.29 D F

11 21/7/1996 07:00 2225 17 + 22/7/1996 00:00 364 490 3.42 D CH

12 28/7/1996 12:00 2225 24 + 1/8/1996 06:00 307 556 9.63 M CH

*13 14/8/1996 09:00 2226 14 + 14/8/1996 21:00 361 510 1.92 S CH

14 16/8/1996 08:00 2226 16 + 17/8/1996 08:00 406 584 6.04 S CH

15 28/8/1996 15:00 2227 01 + 29/8/1996 23:00 385 626 6.33 M CH

16 4/9/1996 00:00 2227 08 - 6/9/1996 15:00 315 444 5.79 S ?

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Total HSSWS

Simple

Multiple

Peaks

Data Gap

MP & DG

Consec.

Ratio Conse

c./ Total

Asc. Phas

e153 87 53 12 1 52 0.34

Max. 214 60 150 3 1 151 0.71Desc

. Phas

e

239 75 157 2 5 162 0.68

Min. 104 75 29 0 0 29 0.28


General data of HSSWSs during the phases of 23rd Solar General data of HSSWSs during the phases of 23rd Solar Cycle:Cycle:

14Space Weather Effects on Humans: in Space and on Earth

Space Research Institute, Moscow, Russia June 4-8, 2012

Total Number of HSSWSs throughout the 23Total Number of HSSWSs throughout the 23rdrd Solar Cycle: Solar Cycle:

Peak flux of HSSWSs in 2003 (Descending Phase of the 23Peak flux of HSSWSs in 2003 (Descending Phase of the 23rdrd Solar Cycle).Solar Cycle).

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Duration of HSSWSs throughout the 23Duration of HSSWSs throughout the 23rdrd Solar Cycle: Solar Cycle:


Solar Cycle Duration

21st 6-7 days

22nd 4-5 days

23rd 3-5 daysMavromichalaki H., Vassilaki A., Mavromichalaki H., Vassilaki A., 19981998

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Maximum Speed of HSSWSs throughout the 23Maximum Speed of HSSWSs throughout the 23rdrd Solar Solar Cycle:Cycle:


The mean The mean speed of the speed of the HSSWSs HSSWSs increases increases during the during the Solar Cycle.Solar Cycle.

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Sources of HSSWSs throughout the 23Sources of HSSWSs throughout the 23rdrd Solar Cycle: Solar Cycle:


Many CH HSSWSs, throughout the Cycle.Many CH HSSWSs, throughout the Cycle.

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ConclusionsConclusions


• A number of 710 HSSWSs in Solar Cycle 23 (434 CH, 261 FG/CME, 15 A number of 710 HSSWSs in Solar Cycle 23 (434 CH, 261 FG/CME, 15 unidentified sources)unidentified sources)

• The FG HSSWSs follow the expected distribution in the 23rd Solar Cycle The FG HSSWSs follow the expected distribution in the 23rd Solar Cycle (with the exception of 1999). However the number of CH HSSWSs is high (with the exception of 1999). However the number of CH HSSWSs is high throughout the Solar Cycle, especially in its Descending Phase.throughout the Solar Cycle, especially in its Descending Phase.

• Peak flux of HSSWSs in 2003 (73 HSSWSs), in the Descending Phase of the Peak flux of HSSWSs in 2003 (73 HSSWSs), in the Descending Phase of the 2323rdrd Solar Cycle. Solar Cycle.

• The greatest ratio of Consecutive HSSWSs appears in the Maximum of the The greatest ratio of Consecutive HSSWSs appears in the Maximum of the 2323rdrd Solar Cycle (151 out of 214 – 71%) followed closely by the ratio of the Solar Cycle (151 out of 214 – 71%) followed closely by the ratio of the Descending Phase (162 out of 239 – 68%).Descending Phase (162 out of 239 – 68%).

• Average Duration of HSSWSs for the 23Average Duration of HSSWSs for the 23rdrd Solar Cycle: 3-5 days Solar Cycle: 3-5 days └ └ Duration in Maximum: 4-6 daysDuration in Maximum: 4-6 days └ └ Duration in Descending Phase: 2-4 daysDuration in Descending Phase: 2-4 days

• Maximum Speed is increasing during the 23Maximum Speed is increasing during the 23rdrd Solar Cycle, even beyond Solar Cycle, even beyond MaximumMaximum

└ └ VVmaxmax in Ascending Phase: 400-500 km/s in Ascending Phase: 400-500 km/s └ └ VVmaxmax in Maximum: 500-600 km/s in Maximum: 500-600 km/s └ └ VVmaxmax in Descending Phase: 600-700 km/s → (Cycle’s largest speed: 1189 in Descending Phase: 600-700 km/s → (Cycle’s largest speed: 1189

km/s)km/s) └ └ VVmaxmax in Minimum: 600-700 km/s in Minimum: 600-700 km/s

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Thank youCпасибо

ISS Expedition 30

an analysis of the 23 rd solar cycle’s high speed solar wind streams activity:

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