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Role of Coronal Mass Ejections in the Heliospheric Hale CycleThe 11-year solar cycle variation in the heliospheric magnetic field strength can be explained by the temporary buildup of closed flux released by coronal mass ejections (CMEs). If this explanation is correct, and the total open magnetic flux is conserved, then the interplanetary-CME closed flux must eventually open via reconnection with open flux close to the Sun. In this case each CME will move the reconnected open flux by at least the CME footpoint separation distance. Since the polarity of CME footpoints tends to follow a pattern similar to the Hale cycle of sunspot polarity, repeated CME eruption and subsequent reconnection will naturally result in latitudinal transport of open solar flux. We demonstrate how this process can reverse the coronal and heliospheric fields, and we calculate that the amount of flux involved is sufficient to accomplish the reversal within the 11 years of the solar cycle.
Document ID
20100015552
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Owens, M. J.
(Boston Univ. Boston, MA, United States)
Schwardron, N. A.
(Boston Univ. Boston, MA, United States)
Crooker, N. U.
(Boston Univ. Boston, MA, United States)
Hughes, W. J.
(Boston Univ. Boston, MA, United States)
Spence, H. E.
(Boston Univ. Boston, MA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 24, 2013
Publication Date
March 21, 2007
Publication Information
Publication: Geophysical Research Letters
Publisher: American Geophysical Union
Volume: 34
ISSN: 0094-8276
Subject Category
Geophysics
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NNG06GC18G
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF ATM-012950
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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