A Heliosheath Model for the Origin of the CMB Quadrupole Moment

TL;DR

This paper proposes a non-cosmological explanation for the CMB quadrupole moment, attributing it to geometric distortions caused by the heliosheath boundary at the solar system, influenced by solar wind variations.

Contribution

It introduces a heliosheath model suggesting local solar system processes can account for the CMB quadrupole, challenging the purely cosmological origin assumption.

Findings

Heliosheath boundary distortions can imprint on the CMB.

Solar wind pressure variations may affect CMB multipole moments.

Potential impact on small-scale CMB angular power spectrum.

Abstract

A non-cosmological origin for the CMB quadrupole moment is suggested in this paper. Geometric distortions to an otherwise isotropic CMB could be imprinted on the CMB radiation as it propagates through the asymmetric termination shock formed at the boundary of the solar wind and the local interstellar medium. In addition to this boundary distortion, the Voyager spacecraft observed abrupt changes in plasma properties and rapidly fluctuating magnetic and electric fields as they recently crossed the termination shock and entered the heliosheath. Several mechanisms are discussed which could potentially imprint the termination shock distortion on the CMB. Temporal variations of this distortion due to solar wind pressure wind changes could manifest in the multipole moments of the CMB. Speculations are presented for the effect of heliosheath radiative and dynamical processes on the observed small-scale angular power spectrum of the CMB.