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Stream dynamics between 1 AU and 2 AU: A detailed comparison of observations and theoryA radial alignment of three solar wind stream structures observed by IMP-7 and -8 (at 1.0 AU) and Voyager 1 and 2 (in the range 1.4 to 1.8 AU) in late 1977 is presented. It is demonstrated that several important aspects of the observed dynamical evolution can be both qualitatively and quantitatively described with a single-fluid 2-D MHD numerical model of quasi-steady corotating flow, including accurate prediction of: (1) the formation of a corotating shock pair at 1.75 AU in the case of a simple, quasi-steady stream; (2) the coalescence of the thermodynamic and magnetic structures associated with the compression regions of two neighboring, interacting, corotating streams; and (3) the dynamical destruction of a small (i.e., low velocity-amplitude, short spatial-scale) stream by its overtaking of a slower moving, high-density region associated with a preceding transient flow. The evolution of these flow systems is discussed in terms of the concepts of filtering and entrainment.
Document ID
19850018267
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Technical Memorandum (TM)
Authors
Burlaga, L. F.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Pizzo, V.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Lazarus, A.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Gazis, P. R.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
September 5, 2013
Publication Date
April 1, 1984
Subject Category
Solar Physics
Report/Patent Number
NAS 1.15:86086
NASA-TM-86086
Accession Number
85N26578
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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