Numerical Investigation
of the 2007 cosmic ray
transient decreases
observed by Voyager
spacecraft Xi Luo, Xueshang Feng
Center for space Science and applied research, China
With Ming Zhang and Mendoza-Torres J.E
3rd Space Weather Symposium,
Guiling ,2013
Summary
Observational Data
Simulation Model
Cosmic Ray Modulation
LMIR model
Simulation result
Our proposed scenario for the transient
decrease events in 2007.
Voyager spacecraft location
in 2007
Voyager 1 crossed the TS in Dec.
2004, it is about 104AU far away
from the Sun.
Voyager 2 is about 82AU far away
from the Sun .
Observation Data-Voyager 2
Two MIR(2007.43,
2007.55) are Marked by
the red line. Evidence
indicates that it is an MIR
event.
Observation Data – Voyager
These
evidence may
1 be related to
the MIR
events
observed by
Voyager 2. But
Voyager 1 did
not observe
any MIR
events. This is
a LMIR.
(Burlaga,
2011, Webber,
2009)
We are
motivated to
study these
events using
Numerical
methods
Simulation Model-Cosmic ray
transport
Parker’s Transport Theory
Energetic particles random walk in the Interplanetary Magnetic Field.
f
1 f
f (Vsw Vd ) f Vp Fokker-Planck equation
t 3 p
f Distribution function, f f (r , p)
pv B
Vsw Vd Solar wind speed, cosmic ray drift Speed Vd 2
3q B
p Momentum || 0 0
0 0
Diffusion Tensor
0 0
Convected term, adiabatic cooling term, diffusion term are included
Simulation Model-Cosmic ray
transport
Markov Stochastic Process for individual cosmic ray particle
dx 2 dw ( s ) ( Vsw Vd )ds
Equivalent to Parker’s Equation
dp 3 Vsw pds
1
In order to know the
physical value at one
location, thousands of
particles needed to be
traced.
Our Simulation Model
-Cosmic Ray Modulation
Parker Transport Equation
f
1 f
f (Vsw Vd ) f Vp
t 3 p
A Solar Wind
400 km / s r rts
2 rts termination shock radius
Vsw { r
120 ts km / s r rts
r
cos( )
B Magnetic Field & Current Sheet tan( cs )
r
A r sin sin( ) cos( (t ))
B (er 0.05reˆ eˆ )[1 2 H ( cs )] Vsw
2
r V
Merged Interaction Region
MIR are the diffusion barriers of cosmic ray. It is believed that MIR is partly
caused by the large Coronal Mass Ejection( Lara et. al., APJ. 2005).
2.0
Voyager 2
> 70 MeV Cosmic Ray (counts/s)
Vsw (10 km/s)
50
1.5
40
30 1.0
nsw r (cm AU)
2
20
-3
0.5
2
10
0 0.0
1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Year
Classification of MIR
Global Merged Interaction Region(GMIR)
GMIR extend 360° in longitude and up to relatively high latitudes.
The topology of a GMIRs is like that of a shell.
Local Merged Interaction Region(LMIR)
Localized in both longitude and latitude, and there is no unique
size or shape associated with a LMIR.(Burlaga, 1993, JGR)
The 2007 cosmic ray transient decrease is related to the Local Merged
Interaction Region, the latititude extent is below the Voyager 1’s
direction. (Burlaga, 2011. JGR, 116)
We are investigating these events numerically combing the cosmic ray
transport model and LMIR model.
Simulation Model- LMIR
Inside the LMIR model the magnetic field is enhanced due to the large
magnetic field. The coefficient will be reduced.
The LMIR has a partial sphere shape with maximum extend of gmir
B ' B ( f (r , )) 2
f (r , ) [1 D( )(Cr 1) g (r )],
V
( m / gmir )10
rend D( ) e
rcen
rsh (1 (r rcen ) / ra ) rcen r rsh
g (r ) {
(r rend ) / rb rend r rcen
Vin r rts
ra rb V
Vout r rts
Simulation Model-LMIR
The magnetic field
profile. Inside LMIR,
the magnitude is
enhanced.
Simulation Model-LMIR
The plasma speed
profile. Inside LMIR,
the magnitude is
enhanced. The plasma
in the heliosheath is
treated as
incompressible.
Simulation result In the
supersonic
solar wind
region only
the observer
inside LMIR,
the cosmic
ray intensity
decrease
can be
detected.
But in the
heliosheath
the outside
observer can
detect the
cosmic ray
intensity
decrease.
Simulation result
Two LMIRs
(approximate
2007.43,
2007.55
events.) are
incorporated
into the
cosmic ray
transport
model and we
indeed
simulated two
transient
decreases.
The scenario we proposed
LMIR-A and B(Both
latitude extent is below
Voyager 1) arrived at
Voyager 2 in 2007.43,
2007.55. And then
interact with the TS,
causing the cosmic ray
intensity observed by
voyager 1 decrease.
Conclusion
By incorporating the LMIR model into the cosmic ray
transport model, we constructed a time-dependent
LMIR model.
In the heliosheath, even the observer is outside the
LMIR, it can still detect the cosmic ray intensity
decrease affected by the LMIR.
Using a double LMIR model, we simulate the cosmic
ray transient decrease events observed by Voyager
1 in 2007.
Thanks.
