Energetic Particle Pressure at Interplanetary Shocks: STEREO-A Observations

TL;DR

This study analyzes energetic proton pressures at interplanetary shocks observed by STEREO-A, revealing their dominance over magnetic and thermal pressures in certain regions and their role in plasma dynamics upstream of shocks.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the dominance and behavior of energetic particle pressure relative to magnetic and thermal pressures near interplanetary shocks, highlighting their influence on plasma forces.

Findings

Energetic proton pressure often exceeds magnetic and thermal pressures near shocks.

Upstream regions show prolonged pressure dominance and exponential pressure increases.

Energetic particles drive currents that create cavities and density depressions.

Abstract

We study periods of elevated energetic particle intensities observed by STEREO-A when the partial pressure exerted by energetic ($\geq$83 keV) protons ($P_{EP}$) is larger than the pressure exerted by the interplanetary magnetic field ($P_{B}$). In the majority of cases, these periods are associated with the passage of interplanetary shocks. Periods when $P_{EP}$ exceeds $P_{B}$ by more than one order of magnitude are observed in the upstream region of fast interplanetary shocks where depressed magnetic field regions coincide with increases of the energetic particle intensities. When solar wind parameters are available, $P_{EP}$ also exceeds the pressure exerted by the solar wind thermal population ($P_{TH}$). Prolonged periods ($>$12 h) with both $P_{EP}$$>$$P_{B}$ and $P_{EP}$$>$$P_{TH}$ may also occur when energetic particles accelerated by an approaching shock encounter a region well-upstream of the shock characterized by low magnetic field magnitude and tenuous solar wind density. Quasi-exponential increases of the sum $P_{SUM}$=$P_{B}$+$P_{TH}$+$P_{EP}$ are observed in the immediate upstream region of the shocks regardless of individual changes in $P_{EP}$, $P_{B}$ and $P_{TH}$, indicating a coupling between $P_{EP}$ and the pressure of the background medium characterized by $P_{B}$ and $P_{TH}$. The quasi-exponential increase of $P_{SUM}$ implies a convected exponential radial gradient $\partial{P_{SUM}}/\partial{r}$$>$0 that results in an outward force applied to the plasma upstream of the shock. This force can be maintained by the mobile energetic particles streaming upstream of the shocks that, in the most intense events, drive electric currents able to generate diamagnetic cavities and depressed solar wind density regions.