The Orientation of the Local Interstellar Magnetic Field

TL;DR

This paper combines observations and simulations to determine that the local interstellar magnetic field is oriented roughly 60-90 degrees from the galactic plane, affecting heliospheric asymmetries.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the local interstellar magnetic field orientation using combined observational data and 3D MHD simulations.

Findings

The local interstellar magnetic field is inclined 60-90 degrees from the galactic plane.

Field orientation influences heliospheric radio emissions and particle streaming.

Local field differs from the larger-scale interstellar magnetic field.

Abstract

The orientation of the local interstellar magnetic field introduces asymmetries in the heliosphere that affect the location of heliospheric radio emissions and the streaming direction of ions from the termination shock of the solar wind. We combine observations of radio emissions and energetic particle streaming with extensive 3D MHD computer simulations of magnetic field draping over the heliopause to show that the plane of the local interstellar field is ~ 60-90 degrees from the galactic plane. This suggests that the field orientation in the Local Interstellar Cloud differs from that of a larger scale interstellar magnetic field thought to parallel the galactic plane.