Magnetic Environment of the Sun as Observed by Parker Solar Probe (IMAGE)
Caption
During the Parker Solar Probe's first encounter with the sun in the fall of 2018, it connected magnetically with a small, negative polarity equatorial coronal hole. This schematic shows a potential field extrapolation of the solar magnetic field at the time of the probe's first perihelion pass. The solar surface is colored to show extreme ultraviolet emission. Coronal holes appear as a lighter shade. Superimposed are various field lines initialized at the solar disk. Black lines indicate closed loops; blue and red lines illustrate open field lines with negative and positive polarities, respectively. The switchbacks or jets observed by PSP are illustrated as kinks in the open field lines emerging from this coronal hole and connecting to PSP.
Credit
Graphic by UC Berkeley; spacecraft image courtesy of NASA/Johns Hopkins APL
Usage Restrictions
None
License
Licensed content