Solar orbiter neutral solar-wind detector

M. Hilchenbach*, S. Orsini, K. C. Hseih, E. Antonucci, S. Barabash, K. Bamert, R. Bruno, M. R. Collier, A. Czechowski, R. D'Amicis, E. De Angelis, I. Dandouras, A. M. Di Lellis, R. Esser, J. Giacalone, M. Gruntman, S. R. Habbal, J. R. Jokipii, E. Kallio, J. KotaH. Kucharek, R. Leonl, S. Livi, I. Mann, E. Marsch, S. Massetti, A. Milillo, E. Möbius, A. Mura, R. B. Sheldon, W. Schmidt, S. Selci, K. Szego, J. Woch, P. Wurz, V. Zanza, T. H. Zurbuchen

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference article in proceedingsScientificpeer-review

Abstract

Neutral hydrogen atoms, which give rise to the prominent solar Ly-α corona, are closely coupled to the emerging solar-wind plasma. The density ratio of neutral hydrogen to protons is minute, ∼10-6; therefore, the neutral atoms are tracers in the solar wind. In-situ observations of the neutral atoms, their flight paths (imaging), density, and velocity distributions are a new tool to the understanding of the Ly-α corona, i.e. setting limits on the plasma velocity distribution along the solar magnetic field lines. The other goal of the neutral solar-wind instrumentation is the in-situ observation of the interactions between solar wind plasma and dust grains near the Sun. We will discuss the science objectives and the potential "zero charge" solar-wind instrument envelope onboard Solar Orbiter.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the Second Solar Orbiter Workshop
EditionSP-641
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2006
MoE publication typeA4 Conference publication
EventSolar Orbiter Workshop - Athens, Greece
Duration: 16 Oct 200620 Oct 2006
Conference number: 2

Publication series

NameEuropean Space Agency, (Special Publication) ESA SP
NumberSP-641
ISSN (Print)0379-6566

Workshop

WorkshopSolar Orbiter Workshop
Country/TerritoryGreece
CityAthens
Period16/10/200620/10/2006

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