Solar-Cycle, Radial and Latitudinal Variations of Magnetic Helicity: IMF Observations

C. W. Smith

Chapman Conference on Magnetic Helicity (1999)

Abstract:

Solar wind dynamics span an extensive range of spatial scales from greater than an AU to less than the gyroradius of a thermal proton. Throughout this range there exist dynamics that lead to the creation, annihiliation and transport of magnetic helicity. This paper examines some of these processes with measurements of the interplanetary magnetic helicity. We find both kinetic plasma processes as well as MHD and solar source dynamics that lead to magnetic helicity in the solar wind. We attempt to characterize the interplanetary magnetic helicity with a combination of review and new material.