A Survey of Field-Aligned Mach Number and Plasma Beta in the Solar Wind
De Keyser, Johan; Poedts, Stefaan; Roth, Michel; De Sterck, Hans
Belgium
Abstract
We have surveyed solar wind plasma beta and field-aligned Alfvénic Mach number using Ulysses and Wind data. We show the characteristic timescale and occurrence frequency of `magnetically dominated' solar wind, whose interaction with a planetary magnetosphere may produce a bow shock with multiple shock fronts. We discuss radial, latitudinal, and solar cycle effects.