What are the magnetic switchbacks observed by the mission Parker Solar Probe ?
Channel: Laboratoire d'astrophysique de Bordeaux
Date: 07/12/2021

Naïs Fargette (IRAP)

Near the Sun, the solar wind magnetic field is dominated by Alfvénic structures that undergo reversals of the radial magnetic field while keeping a constant strahl and constant magnetic field amplitude as well. They are called magnetic switchbacks and are interpreted as accelerated folds on the magnetic field in the solar wind. They were observed by numerous missions (Wind, Ulysses, Solar Orbiter) and were most striking in Parker Solar Probe data, below 0.3 AU. Their origin is still debated and scenarii include interchange reconnection at the Sun’s surface, propagation of alfvenic waves and a turbulence driven phenomenon. In this talk I will present some characteristics of the switchback structures, give an overview of the existing formation theories and describe the latest results on the topic.

video editing Benjamin Benne