As the Sun’s magnetic field is carried out through the solar system, the Sun is rotating. Its rotation winds up the magnetic field into a large rotating spiral, known as the “Parker spiral”, named after the scientist who first described it. The Parker spiral magnetic field is indicated by the yellow arrows.
The magnetic field is primarily directed outward from the Sun in one of its hemispheres, and inward in the other. This causes opposite magnetic field directions in the Parker spiral. The thin layer between the different field directions is described as the “neutral current sheet”. Since this dividing line between the outward and inward field directions is not exactly on the solar equator, the rotation of the Sun causes the current sheet to become “wavy”, and this waviness is carried out into interplanetary space by the solar wind.
Image credits J. Jokipii, University of Arizona
<AUR>.Sunspots
Regions with Sunspots | |||
Region | # of Spots | Mag Type | |
2806 | 04 | Beta | |
H-alpha Plages without Spots | |||
Region | |||
None | |||
Regions Due to Return 08 Mar to 10 Mar | |||
Region | |||
None |
<AUR>.Alert
<AUR>.Alert.Subscriberlast message issued over 4hrs ago
2021-03-08 13:37:08.453 (EF3A)
Space Weather Message Code: ALTEF3
Serial Number: 3113
Issue Time: 2021 Mar 08 1337 UTC
CONTINUED ALERT: Electron 2MeV Integral Flux exceeded 1000pfu
Continuation of Serial Number: 3112
Begin Time: 2021 Mar 03 0745 UTC
Yesterday Maximum 2MeV Flux: 1420 pfu
Potential Impacts: Satellite systems may experience significant charging resulting in increased risk to satellite systems.
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