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A Model fot the Sources of the Slow Solar WindModels for the origin of the slow solar wind must account for two seemingly contradictory observations: the slow wind has the composition of the closed-field corona, implying that it originates from the continuous opening and closing of flux at the boundary between open and closed field. On the other hand, the slow wind also has large angular width, up to approx.60deg, suggesting that its source extends far from the open-closed boundary. We propose a model that can explain both observations. The key idea is that the source of the slow wind at the Sun is a network of narrow (possibly singular) open-field corridors that map to a web of separatrices and quasi-separatrix layers in the heliosphere. We compute analytically the topology of an open-field corridor and show that it produces a quasi-separatrix layer in the heliosphere that extends to angles far from the heliospheric current sheet. We then use an MHD code and MDI/SOHO observations of the photospheric magnetic field to calculate numerically, with high spatial resolution, the quasi-steady solar wind, and magnetic field for a time period preceding the 2008 August 1 total solar eclipse. Our numerical results imply that, at least for this time period, a web of separatrices (which we term an S-web) forms with sufficient density and extent in the heliosphere to account for the observed properties of the slow wind. We discuss the implications of our S-web model for the structure and dynamics of the corona and heliosphere and propose further tests of the model. Key words: solar wind - Sun: corona - Sun: magnetic topology
Document ID
20110016219
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Antiochos, S. K.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Mikic, Z.
(Predictive Science, Inc. San Diego, CA, United States)
Titov, V. S.
(Predictive Science, Inc. San Diego, CA, United States)
Lionello, R.
(Predictive Science, Inc. San Diego, CA, United States)
Linker, J. A.
(Predictive Science, Inc. San Diego, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 25, 2013
Publication Date
March 31, 2011
Publication Information
Publication: The Astrophysical Journal
Publisher: IOP Publishing
Volume: 731
Issue: 2
Subject Category
Solar Physics
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NNG09EJ95C
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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