How The Solar Wind Ties To Its Photospheric Origins

TL;DR

This paper introduces the Magnetic Range of Influence (MRoI), a new visualization method for the solar photospheric magnetic field, revealing connections to the solar wind source and supporting interchange reconnection models.

Contribution

The paper presents the MRoI as a novel approach to visualize and interpret the solar photospheric magnetic environment and its relation to the solar wind origins.

Findings

PFSS footpoints jump between high MRoI areas

Footpoint motions align with Fisk's interchange reconnection model

MRoI offers new insights into solar wind source regions

Abstract

We present a new method of visualizing the solar photospheric magnetic field based on the "Magnetic Range of Influence" (MRoI). The MRoI is a simple realization of the magnetic environment in the photosphere, reflecting the distance required to balance the integrated magnetic field contained in any magnetogram pixel. It provides a new perspective on where sub-terrestrial field lines in a Potential Field Source Surface (PFSS) model connect to the photosphere, and thus the source of Earth-directed solar wind (within the limitations of PFSS models), something that is not usually obvious from a regular synoptic magnetogram. In each of three sample solar rotations, at different phases of the solar cycle, the PFSS footpoint either jumps between isolated areas of high MRoI or moves slowly within one such area. Footpoint motions are consistent with Fisk's interchange reconnection model.