Coronal Streamer Belt Morphology

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A belt of streamers extending from a band encircling the sun comprise the densest portion of the solar corona. Recent research indicates, contrary to superposed epoch analysis of streamer belt data near Earth, this belt may be the source of coronal mass ejections (CMEs), which are responsible for geomagnetic storms. Data shows high variability, consistent with its activity in the heliosphere, yet few studies have focused on its complexities. This project's aim, at both basic and applied levels, is to (1) construct a morphological model of the streamer belt, and (2) establish a prediction scheme for geomagnetic storms. The investigator will draw from combined field and plasma parameter streamline constants, and analyze them to separate dynamic interplanetary effects from those of solar origin. The resulting streamer belt morphology data will serve as a basis for any future quantitative streamer belt module of a global circulation model of the heliosphere.***