What drives the solar wind complexity and variability seen in the heliosphere remains an unresolved mystery. Unique high-resolution observations and measurements taken at 0.5 au, coupled with magnetic modelling and spectroscopic techniques, show that the variability is driven by spatio-temporal changes in the magnetic connectivity to multiple solar source regions.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Access Nature and 54 other Nature Portfolio journals
Get Nature+, our best-value online-access subscription
$29.99 / 30 days
cancel any time
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 12 digital issues and online access to articles
$119.00 per year
only $9.92 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on SpringerLink
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
References
Abbo, L. et al. Slow solar wind: observations and modelling. Space Sci. Rev. 201, 55–108 (2016). A review article that presents insights on slow solar wind origins and formation.
Brooks, D. H. & Warren, H. P. Establishing a connection between active region outflows and the solar wind: abundance measurements with EIS/Hinode. Astrophys. J. 727, 13 (2011). This article provides observational evidence of the direct connection between the solar wind and active region coronal outflows.
Yardley, S. L. et al. Slow solar wind connection science during Solar Orbiter’s first close perihelion passage. Astrophys. J. Supp. Series 267, 11 (2023). This paper gives an overview of the slow solar wind connection science Solar Orbiter observation campaign.
Rouillard, A. P. et al. Models and data analysis tools developed for the Solar Orbiter mission. Astron. Astrophys. 642, 2 (2021). This article describes a community-led effort to develop new tools and models to support the Solar Orbiter mission.
Baker, D. et al. Observational evidence of S-web source of the slow solar wind. Astrophys. J. 950, 65 (2023). This paper discusses the differing magnetic field connectivities generated by changing the model input boundary conditions.
Additional information
Publisher’s note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
This is a summary of: Yardley, S. L. et al. Multi-source connectivity as the driver of solar wind variability in the heliosphere. Nat. Astron. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41550-024-02278-9 (2024).
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
High-resolution observations and measurements show variability of multi-source solar wind. Nat Astron 8, 947–948 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41550-024-02288-7
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41550-024-02288-7