Klaus Scherer

Cosmic ray modulation beyond the heliopause: a hybrid modeling approach

Results from a newly developed hybrid cosmic ray (CR) modulation model are presented. In this approach, the transport of CRs is computed by incorporating the plasma flow from a magnetohydrodynamic model for the heliospheric environment, resulting in representative CR transport. The model is applied to the modulation of CRs beyond the heliopause (HP) and we show that (1) CR modulation persists beyond the HP, so it is unlikely that the Voyager spacecraft will measure the pristine local interstellar spectra of galactic CRs when crossing the HP. (2) CR modulation in the outer heliosheath could maintain solar-cycle-related changes. (3) The modulation of CRs in the outer heliosheath is primarily determined by the ratio of perpendicular to parallel diffusion, so that the value of the individual diffusion coefficients cannot be determined uniquely using this approach. (4) CRs can efficiently diffuse between the nose and tail regions of the heliosphere.

Comparing various multi-component global heliosphere models

Context. Modeling of the global heliosphere seeks to investigate the interaction of the solar wind with the partially ionized local interstellar medium. Models that treat neutral hydrogen self-consistently and in great detail, together with the plasma, but that neglect magnetic fields, constitute a sub-category within global heliospheric models. Aims. There are several different modeling strategies used for this sub-category in the literature. Differences and commonalities in the modeling results from different strategies are pointed out. Methods. Plasma-only models and fully self-consistent models from four research groups, for which the neutral species is modeled with either one, three, or four fluids, or else kinetically, are run with the same boundary parameters and equations. They are compared to each other with respect to the locations of key heliospheric boundary locations and with respect to the neutral hydrogen content throughout the heliosphere. Results. In many respects, the models’ predictions are similar. In particular, the locations of the termination shock agree to within 7% in the nose direction and to within 14% in the downwind direction. The nose locations of the heliopause agree to within 5%. The filtration of neutral hydrogen from the interstellar medium into the inner heliosphere, however, is model dependent, as are other neutral results including the hydrogen wall. These differences are closely linked to the strength of the interstellar bow shock. The comparison also underlines that it is critical to include neutral hydrogen into global heliospheric models.

HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE OPTICAL IMAGING OF THE ERODING DEBRIS DISK HD 61005

We present Hubble Space Telescope optical coronagraphic polarization imaging observations of the dusty debris disk HD 61005. The scattered light intensity image and polarization structure reveal a highly inclined disk with a clear asymmetric, swept back component, suggestive of significant interaction with the ambient interstellar medium (ISM). The combination of our new data with the published 1.1 μm discovery image shows that the grains are blue scattering with no strong color gradient as a function of radius, implying predominantly submicron-sized grains. We investigate possible explanations that could account for the observed swept back, asymmetric morphology. Previous work has suggested that HD 61005 may be interacting with a cold, unusually dense interstellar cloud. However, limits on the intervening interstellar gas column density from an optical spectrum of HD 61005 in the Nai D lines render this possibility unlikely. Instead, HD 61005 may be embedded in a more typical warm, low-density cloud that introduces secular perturbations to dust grain orbits. This mechanism can significantly distort the ensemble disk structure within a typical cloud crossing time. For a counterintuitive relative flow direction—parallel to the disk midplane—we find that the structures generated by these distortions can very roughly approximate the HD 61005 morphology. Future observational studies constraining the direction of the relative ISM flow will thus provide an important constraint for future modeling. Independent of the interpretation for HD 61005, we expect that interstellar gas drag likely plays a role in producing asymmetries observed in other debris disk systems, such as HD 15115 and δ Velorum.

Anisotropic diffusion of Galactic cosmic ray protons and their steady-state azimuthal distribution

Galactic transport models for cosmic rays involve the diffusive motion of these particles in the interstellar medium. Owing to the large-scale structured Galactic magnetic field, this diffusion is anisotropic with respect to the local field direction. We included this transport effect along with continuous loss processes in a quantitative model of Galactic propagation for cosmic ray protons that is based on stochastic differential equations. We calculated energy spectra at different positions along the Sun’s Galactic orbit and compared them to the isotropic diffusion case. The results show that a larger amplitude of variation and different spectral shapes are obtained in the introduced anisotropic diffusion scenario, which in turn emphasizes the need for accurate Galactic magnetic field models.

Calculation of the energetic neutral atom flux from a 3D time-dependent model heliosphere

With the Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) the measurement of energetic neutral atoms (ENAs) will enable a remote sensing of the heliospheric boundary region where the solar wind plasma flow meets the interstellar medium. Together with Voyager 1 (& 2) in (and at least near) the healiosheath there will be a very fortunate instrument configuration in space that will allow us to obtain valuable information about the large-scale structure and dynamics of the heliosphere. Following ongoing theoretical discussions we have computed all-sky maps of the differential flux of ENAs produced from charge exchange with solar wind protons in a three-dimensionally structured and time-varying heliosheath. We employ a three-dimensional, time-dependent hydrodynamic model heliosphere to compute the production of ENAs by a generalisation of previous two-dimensional approaches. We find three-dimensionally structured all-sky ENA flux maps that are time-varying due to the solar activity cycle. While the study adds to the complexity of the task to correctly interpret the forthcoming measurements to be made with IBEX, it underlines the potential of this mission to significantly increase our understanding of the structure and dynamics of the heliosphere.

A GENERALIZED DIFFUSION TENSOR FOR FULLY ANISOTROPIC DIFFUSION OF ENERGETIC PARTICLES IN THE HELIOSPHERIC MAGNETIC FIELD

The spatial diffusion of cosmic rays in turbulent magnetic fields can, in the most general case, be fully anisotropic, i.e., one has to distinguish three diffusion axes in a local, field-aligned frame. We reexamine the transformation for the diffusion tensor from this local to a global frame, in which the Parker transport equation for energetic particles is usually formulated and solved. Particularly, we generalize the transformation formulae to allow for an explicit choice of two principal local perpendicular diffusion axes. This generalization includes the “traditional” diffusion tensor in the special case of isotropic perpendicular diffusion. For the local frame, we describe the motivation for the choice of the Frenet–Serret trihedron, which is related to the intrinsic magnetic field geometry. We directly compare the old and the new tensor elements for two heliospheric magnetic field configurations, namely the hybrid Fisk and Parker fields. Subsequently, we examine the significance of the different formulations for the diffusion tensor in a standard three-dimensional model for the modulation of galactic protons. For this, we utilize a numerical code to evaluate a system of stochastic differential equations equivalent to the Parker transport equation and present the resulting modulated spectra. The computed differential fluxes based on the new tensor formulation deviate from those obtained with the “traditional” one (only valid for isotropic perpendicular diffusion) by up to 60% for energies below a few hundred MeV depending on heliocentric distance.

THE RETURN OF THE BOW SHOCK

Recently, whether a bow shock ahead of the heliospheric stagnation region exists or not has been a topic of discussion. This was triggered by measurements indicating that the Alfven speed and the speed of fast magnetosonic waves are higher than the flow speed of the local interstellar medium (LISM) relative to the heliosphere and resulted in the conclusion that either a bow wave or a slow magnetosonic shock might exist. We demonstrate here that including the He+ component of the LISM yields both an Alfven and fast magnetosonic wave speed lower than the LISM flow speed. Consequently, the scenario of a bow shock in front of the heliosphere, as modeled in numerous simulations of the interaction of the solar wind with the LISM, remains valid.

Modeling of the Heliospheric Interface, Magnetic Field, and Cosmic-Ray Transport

Magnetized flow and cosmic-ray transport in the local astrosphere are studied. A hybrid numerical model is used to calculate the heliospheric interface, the heliospheric magnetic field, and cosmic-ray modulation. Assuming that the transport parameters scale inversely proportional to the magnetic field, the amplification of the field in the inner heliosheath results in a sudden decrease of these parameters over the shock. This, together with our model calculations showing the compressed and heated solar wind flow is not divergence-free in the postshock region, results in effective adiabatic acceleration of cosmic-ray particles in the heliosheath. In particular, the peak of the computed anomalous particles is not at the shock but some distance into the inner heliosheath, where this region becomes populated with relatively high intensities of heated anomalous particles. However, this effect is largely dependent on the values of the transport parameters in the heliosheath. It is also shown that an improvement in the kinematically transported heliospheric magnetic field leads to a significantly different spatial distribution of cosmic rays compared to a Parker model.

Structure of the heliospheric current sheet from plasma convection in time-dependent heliospheric models

Context. The heliospheric current sheet is a plasma layer dividing the heliosphere into the regions of different magnetic field polarity. Since it is very thin compared to the size of the system, it is difficult to incorporate into the numerical models of the heliosphere. Because of the solar magnetic field reversals and the diverging and slowing down plasma flow in the outer heliosphere, the heliospheric current sheet is expected to have a complicated structure, with important consequences for transport processes in the heliosheath. Aims. We determine the shape and time evolution of the current sheet in selected time-dependent 3-D models of the heliosphere, assuming that the heliospheric current sheet is a tangential discontinuity convected by the plasma flow. Methods. We have derived the shape of the heliospheric current sheet at a given time by following the plasma flow lines originating at the neutral line on the source surface surrounding the Sun. The plasma flow was obtained from numerical MHD or gas-dynamical solutions. Results. The large-scale structure of the magnetic field polarity regions and the heliospheric current sheet in time-dependent asymmetric models of the heliosphere differs from the results obtained in simpler models. In particular, in the forward heliosheath it is characterized by secondary folds in the heliospheric current sheet that are caused by the solar wind latitudinal variation over the solar cycle. We present examples illustrating some cases of interest: a “bent” current sheet, and the HCS structure during the magnetic field reversal at the solar maximum. We also discuss the evolution of the magnetic polarity structure in the region close to the heliopause.

Ionization rates in the heliosheath and in astrosheaths - Spatial dependence and dynamical relevance

K.S. and H.F. are grateful to the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, DFG for funding the projects FI706/15-1 and SCHE334/10-1. M.B. was supported by the Polish Ministry for Science and Higher Education grant N-N203-513-038, managed by the National Science Centre. S.E.S.F. thanks the South African National Research Foundation for financial support.