Formation of a strong southward IMF near the solar maximum of cycle 23

S. Watari (1) , M. Vandas (2) , T. Watanabe (3)

1 Communications Research Laboratory
2 ASU / CAS - Astronomical Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences
3 Ibaraki University

We analyzed observations of the solar activities and the solar wind parameters associated with large geomagnetic storms near the maximum of solar cycle 23. This analysis showed that strong southward interplanetary magnetic fields (IMFs), formed through interaction between an interplanetary disturbance, and background solar wind or between interplanetary disturbances are an important factor in the occurrence of intense geomagnetic storms. Based on our analysis, we seek to improve our understanding of the physical processes in which large negative B_z's are created which will lead to improving predictions of space weather.

Key words. Interplanetary physics (Flare and stream dynamics; Interplanetary magnetic fields; Interplanetary shocks)

Domaines: Océan, Atmosphère; Sciences de la Terre

S. Watari, M. Vandas, T. Watanabe. Formation of a strong southward IMF near the solar maximum of cycle 23. Annales Geophysicae, 2004, 22 (2), pp.673-687. ⟨hal-00317249⟩