Small-scale Coherent Magnetic Structures in the Solar Wind and Particle Energization

Session ID#: 120135

Session Description:
Small-scale coherent magnetic structures in the solar wind have drawn considerable interest in recent years. Some of the outstanding questions include 1) their origin (do they originate from the solar corona or are they generated locally via turbulent cascade?), and 2) their role in solar wind heating and particle energization. Parker Solar Probe and Solar Orbiter observations have shown that some small local energization events (the exact sources are unclear) are not easily explained by traditional acceleration mechanisms such as solar flares and shocks, especially close to the Sun. Turbulent reconnection and stochastic acceleration due to coherent magnetic structures are possible explanations. In this session, we solicit contributions addressing but not limited to the observational analysis of coherent magnetic structures, the related analysis of solar wind heating and particle energization. Theories and modeling that focus on local particle energization mechanisms are also welcome.
Index Terms:

7811 Discontinuities [SPACE PLASMA PHYSICS]
7835 Magnetic reconnection [SPACE PLASMA PHYSICS]
7845 Particle acceleration [SPACE PLASMA PHYSICS]
7863 Turbulence [SPACE PLASMA PHYSICS]


Primary Convener:  Lingling Zhao, University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL, United States
Conveners:  Gary Paul Zank, Univ of Alabama, Huntsville, Huntsville, AL, United States, Daniele Telloni, National Institute for Astrophysics Astrophysical Observatory of Torino Via Osservatorio 20, Pino Torinese, Italy, Qiang Hu, University of Alabama in Huntsville, Department of Space Science, Huntsville, AL, United States and Fan Guo, Los Alamos National Lab, Los Alamos, NM, United States
Primary Liaison:  Lingling Zhao, Center for Space Plasma and Aeronomic Research, Huntsville, AL, United States