This work is a continuation of our previous paper [Yermolaevetal2015] which describes the average temporal profiles of interplanetary plasma and field parameters in large-scale solar-wind (SW) streams: CIR, ICME (both MC and Ejecta) and Sheath as well as the interplanetary shock (IS). Like in the previous work we use data of OMNI database, our catalog of large-scale solar-wind phenomena during 1976--2000 [Yermolaevetal2009] and the double superposed epoch analysis (DSEA) method [Yermolaevetal2010]: re-scaling the duration of interval for all types in such a manner that, respectively, beginning and end for all intervals of selected type coincide. We present new detailed results of comparison of two pair phenomena: (1) both types of compression regions (CIR.vs.Sheath) and (2) both types of ICMEs (MC.vs.Ejecta). Obtained data allows us to suggest that the formation of all types of compression regions has the same physical mechanism irrespective of piston (High-Speed Stream (HSS) or ICME) type and differences are connected with geometry (angle between speed gradient in front of piston and satellite trajectory) and full jumps of speed in edges of compression regions. One of consequences of this hypothesis is the conclusion that one of the reasons of observed distinctions of parameters in MC and Ejecta can be fact that at measurements of Ejecta the satellite passes further from the nose area of ICME, than at measurements of MC. We also discuss the impact of Sheath in magnetospheric activity and its contribution in estimation of Sun's open magnetic flux.
Using the OMNI data for period 1976-2000 we investigate the temporal profiles of 20 plasma and field parameters in the disturbed large-scale types of solar wind (SW): CIR, ICME (both MC and Ejecta) and Sheath as well as the interplanetary shock (IS). To take into account the different durations of SW types, we use the double superposed epoch analysis (DSEA) method: re-scaling the duration of the interval for all types in such a manner that, respectively, beginning and end for all intervals of selected type coincide. As the analyzed SW types can interact with each other and change parameters as…
The comparison of specific interplanetary conditions for 798 magnetic storms with Dst < -50 nT for the period 1976-2000 was made on the basis of the OMNI archive data.We categorized various large-scale types of solar wind as interplanetary drivers of storms: corotating interaction region (CIR), Sheath, interplanetary CME (ICME) including magnetic cloud (MC) and Ejecta, separately MC and Ejecta, and "Indeterminate" type. The data processing was carried out by the method of double superposed epoch analysis which uses two reference times (onset of storm and the minimum Dst index) and make a re-sc…
This work is a continuation of our previous articles (Yermolaev et al. in J. Geophys.Res. 120, 7094, 2015, Yermolaev et al. in Solar Phys. 292, 193, 2017), which describe the average temporal profiles of interplanetary plasma and field parameters in large-scale solar-wind (SW) streams: corotating interaction regions (CIRs), interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs including both magnetic clouds (MCs) and ejecta), and sheaths as well as interplanetary shocks (ISs). Changes of longitude angle ϕ in CIRs from -2 to +2° agree with earlier observations. Besides we have for the first time analyze…
Interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs) are the interplanetary manifestations of solar eruptions. The overtaken solar wind forms a sheath of compressed plasma at the front of ICMEs. Magnetic clouds (MCs) are a subset of ICMEs with specific properties (e.g. the presence of a flux rope). When ICMEs pass near Earth, ground observations indicate that the flux of galactic cosmic rays (GCRs) decreases. The main aims of this paper are to find: common plasma and magnetic properties of different ICME sub-structures, and which ICME properties affect the flux of GCRs near Earth. We use a superposed…
This work is a continuation of our previous articles (Yermolaev et al. in J. Geophys. Res. 120, 7094, 2015; Yermolaev et al. in Solar Phys. 292, 193, 2017; Yermolaev et al. in Solar Phys. 293, 91, 2018), which describe the average temporal profiles of interplanetary plasma and field parameters in large-scale solar-wind (SW) streams: corotating interaction regions (CIRs), interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs including both magnetic clouds (MCs) and ejecta), and sheaths as well as interplanetary shocks (ISs). In this work we analyze the average profile of helium abundance Nα/Np for inter…
We present a comprehensive statistical analysis of 106 sheath regions driven by coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and measured near 1 AU. Using data from the STEREO probes, this extended analysis focuses on two discrete categorizations. In the first categorization, we investigate how the generic features of sheaths change with their potential formation mechanisms (propagation and expansion sheaths), namely, their associations with magnetic ejectas (MEs) which are primarily expanding or propagating in the solar wind. We find propagation sheaths to be denser and driven by stronger MEs, whereas expan…
We examine 188 coronal mass ejections (CMEs) measured by the twin STEREO spacecraft during 2007-2016 to investigate the generic features of the CME sheath and the magnetic ejecta (ME) and dependencies of average physical parameters of the sheath on the ME. We classify the MEs into three categories, focusing on whether a ME drives both a shock and sheath, or only a sheath, or neither, near 1 AU. We also reevaluate our initial classification through an automated algorithm and visual inspection. We observe that even for leading edge speeds greater than 500 km/s, 1 out of 4 MEs do not drive shocks…
We study interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs) measured by probes at different heliocentric distances (0.3-1AU) to investigate the propagation of ICMEs in the inner heliosphere and determine how the generic features of ICMEs change with heliospheric distance. Using data from the MESSENGER, Venus Express and ACE spacecraft, we analyze with the superposed epoch technique the profiles of ICME substructures, namely the sheath and the magnetic ejecta. We determine that the median magnetic field magnitude in the sheath correlates well with ICME speeds at 1 AU and we use this proxy to order t…
In solar cycles 23-24, solar activity noticeably decreased, and, as a result, solar wind parameters decreased. Based on the measurements of the OMNI base for the period 1976-2019, the time profiles of the main solar wind parameters and magnetospheric indices for the main interplanetary drivers of magnetospheric disturbances (solar wind types CIR, Sheath, ejecta and MC) are studied using the double superposed epoch method. The main task of the research is to compare time profiles for the epoch of high solar activity at 21-22 solar cycles and the epoch of low activity at 23-24 solar cycles. The …
We investigate relative role of various types of solar wind streams in generation of magnetic storms. On the basis of the OMNI data of interplanetary measurements for the period of 1976-2000 we analyze 798 geomagnetic storms with Dst < -50 nT and their interplanetary sources: corotating interaction regions (CIR), interplanetary CME (ICME) including magnetic clouds (MC) and Ejecta and compression regions Sheath before both types of ICME. For various types of solar wind we study following relative characteristics: occurrence rate; mass, momentum, energy and magnetic fluxes; probability of genera…
We find that the sheath regions between fast interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs) and their preceding shocks are often characterized by plasma depletion and mirror wave structures, analogous to planetary magnetosheaths. A case study of these signatures in the sheath of a magnetic cloud (MC) shows that a plasma depletion layer (PDL) coincides with magnetic field draping around the MC. In the same event, we observe an enhanced thermal anisotropy and plasma beta as well as anti-correlated density and magnetic fluctuations which are signatures of mirror mode waves. We perform a superposed…
We study durations of main and recovery phases of magnetic storms induced by different types of large-scale solar-wind streams (Sheath, magnetic cloud (MC), Ejecta and CIR) on the basis of OMNI data base during 1976-2000. Durations of both main and recovery phases depend on types of interplanetary drivers. On the average, duration of main phase of storms induced by compressed regions (CIR and Sheath) is shorter than by MC and Ejecta while duration of recovery phase of CIR- and Sheath-induced storms is longer. Analysis of durations of individual storms shows that durations of main and recovery …
The purpose of this work is to draw attention of readers to a problem of possible differences in generation of magnetic storms induced by various large scale solar wind (SW) streams: CIR, Sheath and ICME (including MC and Ejecta). Recently we showed that when using a modification of formula by Burton et al. [1975] for connection of interplanetary conditions with Dst and Dst* indices the efficiency of storm generation by Sheath and CIR is about 50 percent higher than generation by ICME [Nikolaeva et al., 2013, 2015]. In the literature there are many various functions coupling (FC) various inter…
Using in situ measurements and remote-sensing observations, we study a coronal mass ejection (CME) that left the Sun on 9 July 2013 and impacted both Mercury and Earth while the planets were in radial alignment (within $3^\circ$). The CME had an initial speed as measured by coronagraphs of 580 $\pm$ 20 km s$^{-1}$, an inferred speed at Mercury of 580 $\pm$ 30 km s$^{-1}$ and a measured maximum speed at Earth of 530 km s$^{-1}$, indicating that it did not decelerate substantially in the inner heliosphere. The magnetic field measurements made by MESSENGER and {\it Wind} reveal a very similar mag…
Interplanetary Coronal Mass Ejections (ICMEs) are known to modify the structure of the solar wind as well as interact with the space environment of planetary systems. Their large magnetic structures have been shown to interact with galactic cosmic rays, leading to the Forbush decrease (FD) phenomenon. We revisit in the present article the 17 years of Advanced Composition Explorer spacecraft ICME detection along with two neutron monitors (McMurdo and Oulu) with a superposed epoch analysis to further analyze the role of the magnetic ejecta in driving FDs. We investigate in the following the role…
Interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs) contain magnetic field and velocity fluctuations across a wide range of scales. These fluctuations may be interpreted as Alfvénic wave packets propagating parallel or anti-parallel to the background magnetic field, with the difference in power between counter-propagating fluxes quantified by the cross helicity. We have determined the cross helicity of inertial range fluctuations at $10^{-3}-10^{-2}$ Hz in 226 ICME flux ropes and 176 ICME sheaths observed by the Wind spacecraft at 1 au during 1995-2015. The flux ropes and sheaths had mean, normalise…
We compare of the cross polar cap potential (CPCP) saturation during magnetic storms induced by various types of the solar wind drivers. By using the model of Siscoe-Hill \citep{Hilletal1976,Siscoeetal2002a,Siscoeetal2002b,Siscoeetal2004,Siscoe2011} we evaluate criteria of the CPCP saturation during the main phases of 257 magnetic storms ($Dst_{min} \le -50$ nT) induced by the following types of the solar wind streams: magnetic clouds (MC), Ejecta, the compress region Sheath before MC ($Sh_{MC}$) and before Ejecta ($Sh_{E}$), corotating interaction regions (CIR) and indeterminate type (IND). O…
We have studied a set of 41 magnetic clouds (MCs) measured by the ACE spacecraft, using the discrete orthogonal wavelet transform (Daubechies wavelet of order two) in three regions: Pre-MC (plasma sheath), MC and Post-MC. We have used data from the IMF GSM-components with time resolution of 16 s. The mathematical property chosen was the statistical mean of the wavelet coefficients $(\langle Dd1 \rangle)$. The Daubechies wavelet coefficients have been used because they represent the local regularity present in the signal being studied. The results reproduced the well-known fact that the dynamic…
Influence of ICME-driven Magnetic Cloud-like and Sheath Region induced Geomagnetic Storms in causing anomalous responses of the Low-latitude Ionosphere: A Case Study
We observe and analyse a long-lived corotating interaction region (CIR), originating from a single coronal hole (CH), recurring in 27 consecutive Carrington rotations 2057-2083 in the time period from June 2007 - May 2009. We studied the in situ measurements of this long-lived CIR as well as the corresponding depression in the cosmic ray (CR) count observed by SOHO/EPHIN throughout different rotations. We performed a statistical analysis, as well as the superposed epoch analysis, using relative values of the key parameters: the total magnetic field strength, B, the magnetic field fluctuations,…
Forbush decreases (FDs) are depletions in the galactic cosmic ray (GCR) count rate that last typically for about a week and can be caused by coronal mass ejections (CMEs) or corotating interacting regions (CIRs). Fast CMEs that drive shocks cause large FDs that often show a two-step decrease where the first step is attributed to the shock/sheath region, while the second step is attributed to the closed magnetic structure. Since the difference in size of shock and sheath region is significant, and since there are observed effects that can be related to shocks and not necessarily to the sheath r…
The largest geomagnetic storms of solar cycle 24 so far occurred on 2015 March 17 and June 22 with $D_{\rm st}$ minima of $-223$ and $-195$ nT, respectively. Both of the geomagnetic storms show a multi-step development. We examine the plasma and magnetic field characteristics of the driving coronal mass ejections (CMEs) in connection with the development of the geomagnetic storms. A particular effort is to reconstruct the in situ structure using a Grad-Shafranov technique and compare the reconstruction results with solar observations, which gives a larger spatial perspective of the source cond…
The solar minimum of 2008 was exceptionally quiet, with sunspot numbers at their lowest in 75 years. During this unique solar minimum epoch, however, solar wind high - speed streams emanating from near-equatorial coronal holes occurred frequently and were the primary contributor to the recurrent geomagnetic activity at Earth. These conditions enabled the isolation of forcing by geomagnetic activity on the preconditioned solar minimum state of the upper atmosphere caused by Corotating Interaction Regions (CIRs). Thermosphere density observations around 400 km from the CHAMP satellite are used t…
We present an analysis of {\it in situ} and remote-sensing measurements of a coronal mass ejection (CME) that erupted on 2021 February 20 and impacted both the Solar TErrestrial RElations Observatory (STEREO)-A and the {\it Wind} spacecraft, which were separated longitudinally by 55$^\circ$. Measurements on 2021 February 24 at both spacecraft are consistent with the passage of a magnetic ejecta (ME), making this one of the widest reported multi-spacecraft ME detections. The CME is associated with a low-inclined and wide filament eruption from the Sun's southern hemisphere, which propagates bet…
Statistical analysis of occurrence rate of magnetic storms induced by different types of interplanetary drivers is made on the basis of OMNI data for period 1976-2000. Using our catalog of large scale types of solar wind streams we study storms induced by interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICME) (separately magnetic clouds (MC) and Ejecta) and both types of compressed regions: corotating interaction regions (CIR) and Sheaths. For these types of drivers we calculate integral probabilities of storms with minimum Dst < -50, -70, -100, -150, and -200 nT. The highest probability in this interva…
Taking the 32 storm sudden commencements (SSCs) listed by ISGI during 2002 as a starting point, we performed a multi-criterion analysis based on observations (propagation time, velocity comparisons, sense of the magnetic field rotation, radio waves) to associate them with solar sources. We identified their effects in the interplanetary medium, and looked at the response of the terrestrial ionized and neutral environment. We find that 28 SSCs can be related to 44 coronal mass ejections (CMEs), 15 with a unique CME and 13 with a series of multiple CMEs, among which 19 involved halo CMEs; 12 of t…
The solar wind, when measured close to 1 au, is found to flow mostly radially outward. There are, however, periods when the flow makes angles up to 15$^\circ$ away from the radial direction, both in the east-west and north-south directions. Stream interaction regions (SIRs) are a common cause of east-west flow deflections. Coronal mass ejections (CMEs) may be associated with non-radial flows in at least two different ways: 1) the deflection of the solar wind in the sheath region, especially close to the magnetic ejecta front boundary, may result in large non-radial flows, 2) the expansion of t…
