Heavy ion composition in the inner heliosphere: Predictions for Solar Orbiter

Susan T Lepri1, Stefano A Livi2, Antoinette Broe Galvin3, Lynn M Kistler4, Jim M Raines5, Frederic Allegrini6, Michael R Collier7, Thomas Zurbuchen1 and Science Team for the Heavy Ion Sensor, (1)University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States, (2)SwRI, San Antonio, United States, (3)University of New Hampshire, Durham, United States, (4)University of New Hampshire Main Campus, Durham, NH, United States, (5)University of Michigan Ann Arbor, Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering, Ann Arbor, United States, (6)Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio, United States, (7)NASA/GSFC, Greenbelt, MD, United States
Abstract:
The Heavy Ion Sensor (HIS) on SO, with its high time resolution, will provide the first ever solar wind and surpathermal heavy ion composition and 3D velocity distribution function measurements inside the orbit of Mercury. These measurements will provide us the most in depth examination of the origin, structure and evolution of the solar wind. The near co-rotation phases of the orbiter will enable the most accurate mapping of in-situ structures back to their solar sources. Measurements of solar wind composition and heavy ion kinetic properties enable characterization of the sources, transport mechanisms and acceleration processes of the solar wind. This presentation will focus on the current state of in-situ studies of heavy ions in the solar wind and their implications for the sources of the solar wind, the nature of structure and variability in the solar wind, and the acceleration of particles. Additionally, we will also discuss opportunities for coordinated measurements across the payloads of Solar Orbiter and Solar Probe in order to answer key outstanding science questions of central interest to the Solar and Heliophysics communities.
Back to: Coordinated Science from the Corona to the Inner Heliosphere in Preparation for Solar Probe Plus and Solar Orbiter II