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Orientation of Sharp Fronts of the Solar Wind Plasma

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Abstract

Based on simultaneous observations performed by several spacecraft, we evaluate the orientation of sharp (with a duration of a few minutes) and large (tens and hundreds percent of the mean value) fronts of the solar wind plasma (changes in the ion flux and ram pressure). The orientation of the fronts is determined with respect to the Sun–Earth line and to two planes in space for several tens of the largest (in amplitude) changes of the ion flux. A considerable fraction of these fronts (about 50%) has an inclination to the plane perpendicular to the Sun–Earth line that exceeds 30°.

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Riazantseva, M.O., Dalin, P.A., Zastenker, G.N. et al. Orientation of Sharp Fronts of the Solar Wind Plasma. Cosmic Research 41, 382–391 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1025061711391

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