Generation and evolution of interplanetary slow shocks

It is well known that most MHD shocks observed within 1 AU are MHD fast shocks. Only a very limited number of MHD slow shocks are observed within 1 AU. In order to understand why there are only a few MHD slow shocks observed within 1 AU, we use a one-dimensional, time-dependent MHD code with an adap...

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Main Authors: C.-C. Wu, S. T. Wu, M. Dryer
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Copernicus Publications
Series:Annales Geophysicae
Online Access:http://www.ann-geophys.net/14/375/1996/angeo-14-375-1996.html
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author C.-C. Wu
S. T. Wu
M. Dryer
author_facet C.-C. Wu
S. T. Wu
M. Dryer
author_sort C.-C. Wu
collection DOAJ
description It is well known that most MHD shocks observed within 1 AU are MHD fast shocks. Only a very limited number of MHD slow shocks are observed within 1 AU. In order to understand why there are only a few MHD slow shocks observed within 1 AU, we use a one-dimensional, time-dependent MHD code with an adaptive grid to study the generation and evolution of interplanetary slow shocks (ISS) in the solar wind. Results show that a negative, nearly square-wave perturbation will generate a pair of slow shocks (a forward and a reverse slow shock). In addition, the forward and the reverse slow shocks can pass through each other without destroying their characteristics, but the propagating speeds for both shocks are decreased. A positive, square-wave perturbation will generate both slow and fast shocks. When a forward slow shock (FSS) propagates behind a forward fast shock (FFS), the former experiences a decreasing Mach number. In addition, the FSS always disappears within a distance of 150<i>R</i><sub>⊙</sub> (where <i>R</i><sub>⊙</sub> is one solar radius) from the Sun when there is a forward fast shock (with Mach number ≥1.7) propagating in front of the FSS. In all tests that we have performed, we have not discovered that the FSS (or reverse slow shock) evolves into a FFS (or reverse fast shock). Thus, we do not confirm the FSS-FFS evolution as suggested by Whang (1987).
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spelling doaj.art-5614b5d30117400295656073d7de5a4d2022-12-22T02:50:58ZengCopernicus PublicationsAnnales Geophysicae0992-76891432-0576144375382Generation and evolution of interplanetary slow shocksC.-C. WuS. T. WuM. DryerIt is well known that most MHD shocks observed within 1 AU are MHD fast shocks. Only a very limited number of MHD slow shocks are observed within 1 AU. In order to understand why there are only a few MHD slow shocks observed within 1 AU, we use a one-dimensional, time-dependent MHD code with an adaptive grid to study the generation and evolution of interplanetary slow shocks (ISS) in the solar wind. Results show that a negative, nearly square-wave perturbation will generate a pair of slow shocks (a forward and a reverse slow shock). In addition, the forward and the reverse slow shocks can pass through each other without destroying their characteristics, but the propagating speeds for both shocks are decreased. A positive, square-wave perturbation will generate both slow and fast shocks. When a forward slow shock (FSS) propagates behind a forward fast shock (FFS), the former experiences a decreasing Mach number. In addition, the FSS always disappears within a distance of 150<i>R</i><sub>⊙</sub> (where <i>R</i><sub>⊙</sub> is one solar radius) from the Sun when there is a forward fast shock (with Mach number ≥1.7) propagating in front of the FSS. In all tests that we have performed, we have not discovered that the FSS (or reverse slow shock) evolves into a FFS (or reverse fast shock). Thus, we do not confirm the FSS-FFS evolution as suggested by Whang (1987).http://www.ann-geophys.net/14/375/1996/angeo-14-375-1996.html
spellingShingle C.-C. Wu
S. T. Wu
M. Dryer
Generation and evolution of interplanetary slow shocks
Annales Geophysicae
title Generation and evolution of interplanetary slow shocks
title_full Generation and evolution of interplanetary slow shocks
title_fullStr Generation and evolution of interplanetary slow shocks
title_full_unstemmed Generation and evolution of interplanetary slow shocks
title_short Generation and evolution of interplanetary slow shocks
title_sort generation and evolution of interplanetary slow shocks
url http://www.ann-geophys.net/14/375/1996/angeo-14-375-1996.html
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