Connecting the interstellar magnetic field at the heliosphere to the Loop i superbubble

P. C. Frisch, A. Berdyugin, H. O. Funsten, A. M. Magalhaes, D. J. McComas, V. Piirola, N. A. Schwadron, D. B. Seriacopi, S. J. Wiktorowicz

Research output: Contribution to journalConference articlepeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

The local interstellar magnetic field affects both the heliosphere and the surrounding cluster of interstellar clouds (CLIC). Measurements of linearly polarized starlight provide the only test of the magnetic field threading the CLIC. Polarization measurements of the CLIC magnetic field show multiple local magnetic structures, one of which is aligned with the magnetic field traced by the center of the "ribbon" of energetic neutral atoms discovered by the Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX). Comparisons between the bulk motion of the CLIC through the local standard of rest, the magnetic field direction, the geometric center of Loop I, and the polarized dust bridge extending from the heliosphere toward the North Polar Spur direction all suggest that the CLIC is part of the rim region of the Loop I superbubble.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number012010
JournalJournal of Physics: Conference Series
Volume577
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2015
Externally publishedYes
Event13th Annual International Astrophysics Conference: Voyager, IBEX, and the Interstellar Medium, AIAC 2014 - Myrtle Beach, United States
Duration: Mar 10 2014Mar 14 2014

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Physics and Astronomy

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