Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Composition and Dynamics of the Solar Wind Plasma

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
Solar-Terrestrial Physics/1970

Part of the book series: Astrophysics and Space Science Library ((ASSL,volume 29))

Abstract

This review will concentrate on the interpretation of recent observations pertaining to the chemical composition and dynamical behavior of the solar wind plasma.

The solar wind helium content has been determined in several independent series of observations; the long-term average abundance of helium relative to hydrogen is close to 4.5% by number. This ratio is lower than that usually given for the solar photosphere, possibly implying a separation of ions with different charge-to-mass ratios in the coronal expansion. Such a separation could result from gravitational settling of heavy coronal ions. A helium-rich plasma has been frequently observed some hours after the passage of a flare-associated interplanetary shock wave; this plasma has been tentatively identified as material ejected from the chromosphere or low corona by the flare. The isotope 3He has been observed by two independent techniques and found to be ~ 103 times less abundant than 4He. Several ions of 160 have also been identified in the solar wind, with varying total abundance. The observed ionization state of oxygen can be related to the coronal temperature.

Recent observations have established the ranges and average values of the fluid parameters used to describe the solar wind. Attempts to explain observed solar wind temperatures within the framework of fluid models of the coronal expansion require hypotheses of dynamic processes which deposit or redistribute energy in inteplanerary space. Some of the conflicting ideas regarding these processes will be discussed.

The transient behavior of the solar wind has attracted increasing observational and theoretical attention. Numerous observations of interplanetary shock waves indicate that the typical shock wave propagates at ~ 500 km sec−1 at 1 AU. In addition to this extreme class of transient phenomena, other long-term patterns of spatial or temporal variation have been found. The common occurrence of such patterns raises questions as to the applicability of the usual spherically symmetric, steady-state models of the coronal expansion in the interpretation of many solar wind observations.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Axford, W. I.: 1968, Space Sci. Rev. 8, 331.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Bame, S. J., Hundhausen, A. J., Asbridge, J. R., and Strong, I. B.: 1968a, Phys. Rev. Letters 20, 393.

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bame, S. J., Asbridge, J. R., Hundhausen, A. J., and Strong, I. B.: 1968b, J. Geophys. Res. 73, 5761.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Barnes, A.: 1968, Astrophys. J. 154, 751.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Barnes, A.: 1969, Astrophys. J. 155, 311.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Biswas, S. and Fichtel, C. E.: 1964 Astrophys. J. 134 941.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Bonetti, A., Moreno, G., Candidi, M., Egidi, A., Formisano, V., and Pizzella, G.: 1970, in Inter- correlated Satellite Observations Related to Solar Events (ed. by Y. Manno and D. E. Page), D. Reidel Publ. Co., Dordrecht, Holland, p. 436.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Brandt, J. C. and Hodge, P. W.: 1964, Solar System Astrophysics, McGraw-Hill, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brandt, J. C. and Hunten, D. M.: 1966, Planetary Space Sci. 14, 95.

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Buehler, F., Eberhardt, P., Geiss, J., and Meister, J.: 1969, Science 166, 1502.

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Burlaga, L. F. and Ogilvie, K. W.: 1970, Astrophys. J. 159, 659.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Burlaga, L. F., Ogilvie, K. W., Fairfield, D. H., Montgomery, M. D., and Bame, S. J.: 1970, NASA-29 Goddard Space Flight Center preprint.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carovillano, R. L. and Siscoe, G. L.: 1969, Solar Phys. 8, 401.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Chao, J.-K.: 1970, MIT Center for Space Research preprint CSR-TR-70-3.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cloutier, P.: 1966, Planetary Space Sci. 14, 809.

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Colburn, D. S. and Sonett, C. P.: 1966, Space Sci. Rev. 5, 439.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Coon, J. H.: 1966, in Radiation Trapped in the Earth’s Magnetic Field (ed. by B. M. McCormac), D. Reidei, Pubi. Co., Dordrecht, Holland, p. 231.

    Google Scholar 

  • Delache, P.: 1965, Compt. Rend. Acad. Sci. 261, 643.

    Google Scholar 

  • Delache, P.: 1967, Ann. Astrophys. 30, 827.

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Demarque, P. R. and Percy, J. R.: 1964, Astrophys. J. 140, 541.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Dessler, A. J.: 1967, Rev. Geophys. 5, 1.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Dryer, M. and Jones, D. L.: 1968, J. Geophys. Res. 73, 4875.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Durgaprasad, N., Fichtel, C. E., Guss, D. E., and Reames, D. V.: 1968, Astrophys. J. 154, 307.

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Eviatar, A. and Schultz, M.: 1970, Planetary Space Sci. 18, 321.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Gaustad, J. E.: 1964, Astrophys. J. 139, 406.

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Geiss, J., Hirt, P., and Lentwyler, H.: 1970a, Solar Phys. 12, 458.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Geiss, J., Eberhardt, P., Singer, P., Buehler, F., and Meister, J.: 1970b, to appear in Apollo 12Preliminary Science Report.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gold, T.: 1955, in Gas Dynamics of Cosmic Clouds (ed. by H. C. van de Hülst and J. M. Burgers), North-Holland Pubi. Co., Amsterdam, p. 103.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gosling, J. T., Asbridge, J. R., Bame, S. J., Hundhausen, A. J., and Strong, I. B.: 1967, J. Geophys. Res. 72, 1813.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Gosling, J. T., Asbridge, J. R., Bame, S. J., Hundhausen, A. J., and Strong, I. B.: 1968, J. Geophys. Res. 73, 43.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Hartle, R. E. and Sturrock, P. A.: 1968, Astrophys. J. 151, 1155.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hartle, R. E. and Barnes, A.: 1970, NASA-Goddard Space Flight Center preprint X-621-70-114.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hirshberg, J., Alksne, A., Colburn, D. S., Bame, S. J., and Hundhausen, A. J.: 1970, J. Geophys. Res. 75,1.

    Google Scholar 

  • Holzer, T. E. and Axford, W. I.: 1970, Ann. Rev. Astron. Astrophys. 8, 31.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Hones, E. W., Jr.: 1970, in Intercorrelated Satellite Observations Related to Solar Events (ed. by V. Manno and D. E. Page), D. Reidei Pubi. Co., Dordrecht, Holland, p. 299.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hundhausen, A. J., Asbridge, J. R., Bame, S. J., Gilbert, H. E., and Strong, I. B.: 1967a, J. Geophys. Res. 72, 87.

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hundhausen, A. J., Asbridge, J. R., Bame, S. J., and Strong, I. B.: 1967b, J. Geophys. Res. 72, 1979.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Hundhausen, A. J., Bame, S. J., and Ness, N. F.: 1967c, J. Geophys. Res. 72, 5265.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hundhausen, A. J.: 1968, Space Sci. Rev. 8, 690.

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hundhausen, A. J., Gilbert, H. E., and Bame, S. J.: 1968a, Astrophys. J. 152, L3.

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hundhausen, A. J., Gilbert, H. E., and Bame, S. J.: 1968b, J. Geophys. Res. 73, 5485.

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hundhausen, A. J.: 1969a, J. Geophys. Res. 74, 3740.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Hundhausen, A. J.: 1969b, J. Geophys. Res. 74, 5810.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Hundhausen, A. J. and Gentry, R. A.: 1969a, J. Geophys. Res. 74, 2908.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Hundhausen, A. J. and Gentry, R. A.: 1969b, J. Geophys. Res. 74, 6229.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Hundhausen, A. J.: 1970a, in Particles and Fields in the Magnetosphere (ed. by B. M. McCormac), D. Reidei Pubi. Co., Dordrecht, Holland, p. 79.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Hundhausen, A. J.: 1970b, Ann. Geophys. 26, 427.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hundhausen, A. J., Bame, S. J., Asbridge, J. R., and Sydoriak, S. J.: 1970a, Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory preprint LA-DC-11329, J. Geophys. Res. 75, 4643.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Hundhausen, A. J., Bame, S. J., and Montgomery, M. D.: 1970b, Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory preprint LA-DC-11203, J. Geophys. Res. 75, 4631.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Hundhausen, A. J., Bame, S. J., and Montgomery, M. D.: 1970c, in Intercorrelated Satellite Observations Related to Solar Events (ed. by V. Manno and D. E. Page), D. Reidei Pubi. Co., Dordrecht, Holland, p. 567.

    Google Scholar 

  • Iben, Icko, Jr.: 1969, Ann. Phys. 54, 164.

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jokipii, J. R.: 1966, in The Solar Wind (ed. by R. J. Mackin and M. Neugebauer), Pergamon Press, New York, p. 215.

    Google Scholar 

  • Korobeinikov, V. P.: 1969, Solar Phys. 7, 463.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Kozlovsky, B.-Z.: 1968, Solar Phys. 5, 410.

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lambert, D. L.: 1967, Nature 215, 43.

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lazarus, A. J., Bridge, H. S., and Davis, J.: 1966, J. Geophys. Res. 71, 3787.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Lazarus, A. J. and Binsack, J. H.: 1969, Annals of the IQSY(A. Stickland, ed.),MIT Press 3, 378.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lazarus, A. J., Ogilvie, K. W., and Burlaga, L. F.: 1970, MIT Center for Space Research preprint CSR-P-70-36, submitted to Solar Phys. 13, 232.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, T. S. and Balwanz, W. W.: 1968, Solar Phys. 4, 240.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, T. S. and Chen, T.: 1968, Planetary Space Sei. 16, 1483.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Lüst, R.: 1967, in Solar-Terrestrial Physics (ed. by J. W. King and W. S. Newman), Academic Press, London, p. 1.

    Google Scholar 

  • Montgomery, M. D., Barne, S. J., and Hundhausen, A. J.: 1968, J. Geophys. Res. 73, 4999.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Morton, D. C.: 1968, Astrophys. J. 151, 285.

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nakada, N. P.: 1969, Solar Phys. 7, 302.

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Neugebauer, M. and Snyder, C. W.: 1966, J. Geophys. Res. 71, 4469.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Ness, N. F.: 1967,Ann. Rev. Astron. Astrophys. 6, 79.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nishida, A.: 1969, J. Geophys. Res. 74, 5155.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Noble, L. M. and Scarf, F. L.: 1963, Astrophys. J. 138, 1169.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ogilvie, K. W., Mcllwraith, N., and Wilkerson, T. D.: 1968a, Rev. Sei. Instr. 39, 441.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Ogilvie, K. W., Burlaga, L. F., and Wilkerson, T. D.: 1968b, J. Geophys. Res. 73, 6809.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Ogilvie, K. W. and Burlaga, L. F.: 1969, Solar Phys. 8, 422.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Ogilvie, K. W. and Wilkerson, T. D.: 1969, Solar Phys. 8, 435.

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Parker, E. N.: 1961, Astrophys. J. 133, 1014.

    Google Scholar 

  • Parker, E. N.: 1963a, in The Solar Corona (ed. by J. W. Evans), Academic Press, New York, p. 11.

    Google Scholar 

  • Parker, E. N.: 1963b, Interplanetary Dynamical Processes, Interscience, New York.

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Parker, E. N.: 1967, in Solar-Terrestrial Physics (ed. by J. W. King and W. S. Newman), Academic Press, London, p. 45.

    Google Scholar 

  • Parker, E. N.: 1969, Space Sei. Rev. 9, 325.

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Robbins, D. E., Hundhausen, A. J., and Bame, S. J.: 1970, J. Geophys. Res. 75, 1178.

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sears, R. L.: 1964, Astrophys. J. 140, 477.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Simon, M. and Axford, W. I.: 1966, Planetary Space Sei. 14, 901.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Siscoe, G. L.: 1970, Cosmic Electrodyn. 1, 51.

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Siscoe, G. L. and Finley, L. T.: 1969a, Solar Phys. 9, 452.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Siscoe, G.L. and Finley, L.T.: 1969b, University of California, Los Angeles, Dept. of Meteorology, preprint.

    Google Scholar 

  • Snyder, C. W., Neugebauer, M., and Rao, U. R.: 1963, Geophys. Res. 68, 6361.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Snyder, C. W. and Neugebauer, M.: 1964, Space Res. 4, 89.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sonett, C. P., Colburn, D. S., Davis, L., Jr., Smith, E. J., and Coleman, P. J., Jr.: 1964, Phys. Rev. Letters 13, 153.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Sonett, C. P., Colburn, D. S., and Briggs, B. R.: 1966 in The Solar Winded, by R. W. Mackin and Briggs, B. R.: 1966 in The Solar Wind (ed. by R. W. Mackin and M. Neugebauer), Pergamon Press, New York, p. 165.

    Google Scholar 

  • Strong, I. B., Asbridge, J. R., Bame, S. J., Heckman, H. H., and Hundhausen, A. J.: 1966, Phys. Rev. Letters 16, 631.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Sturrock, P. A. and Hartle, R. E.: 1966, Phys. Rev. Letters 16, 628.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, H. E.: 1969, Solar Phys. 6, 320.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Tucker, W. H. and Gould, R. J.: 1966, Astrophys. J. 144, 244.

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Weymann, R. and Sears, R. L.: 1965, Astrophys. J. 142, 174.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Whang, Y. C. and Chang, C. C.: 1965, J. Geophys. Res. 70, 5793.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Wilcox, J. M.: 1968, Space Sei. Rev. 8, 258.

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Wolfe, J. H. and Silva, R. W.: 1965, J. Geophys. Res. 70, 3575.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Wolfe, J. H., Silva, R. W., McKibben, D. D., and Mason, R. H.: 1966, J. Geophys. Res. 71, 3329.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of California, Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory, Los Alamos, N.M., USA

    A. J. Hundhausen

Authors
  1. A. J. Hundhausen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

E. R. Dyer

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1972 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

About this paper

Cite this paper

Hundhausen, A.J. (1972). Composition and Dynamics of the Solar Wind Plasma. In: Dyer, E.R. (eds) Solar-Terrestrial Physics/1970. Astrophysics and Space Science Library, vol 29. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-3693-5_14

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-3693-5_14

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-8154-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-3693-5

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation