Global Solar Wind Changes Over Solar Cycle 21: A Combination of Helios Photometer, In Situ, and Interplanetary Scintillation Data
The Astrophysical Journal 505:984-992, October 1998.
© The American Astronomical Society

Global Solar Wind Changes Over Solar Cycle 21: A Combination of Helios Photometer, In Situ, and Interplanetary Scintillation Data

Ch. Leinert
Max-Planck-Institut für Astronomie, Königstuhl 17, D-69117 Heidelberg, Germany

B.V. Jackson
Center for Astrophysics and Space Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0424, U.S.A.

Abstract

We combine Helios spacecraft photometer brightnesses, in situ plasma densities, and interplanetary scintillation (IPS) velocity data to obtain a global description of solar wind changes. We find an increase of solar mass flux at solar maximum from the photometer brightnesses larger than would be expected from the usual assumption of invariant momentum flux over solar cycle 21 (1975-1986). A portion of this excess mass is related to solar mass ejections, which have an occurrence rate that follows the solar activity cycle.

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