Magnetic switchback

Parker Solar Probe observed switchbacks — traveling disturbances in the solar wind that caused the magnetic field to bend back on itself.
Illustration of Parker Solar Probe flying through a switchback in the solar wind.

Magnetic switchbacks are sudden reversals in the magnetic field of the solar wind.[1] They can also be described as traveling disturbances in the solar wind that caused the magnetic field to bend back on itself. They were first observed by the NASA-ESA mission Ulysses, the first spacecraft to fly over the Sun's poles.[2][3] NASA's Parker Solar Probe and NASA/ESA Solar Orbiter both observed switchbacks.

  1. ^ Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain: Hatfield, Miles (29 April 2020). "New Insight Into Parker Solar Probe's Early Observations". NASA.
  2. ^ Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain: Hatfield, Miles (8 March 2021). "Switchbacks Science: Explaining Parker Solar Probe's Magnetic Puzzle". NASA. Retrieved 31 July 2022.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference fisk-casper was invoked but never defined (see the help page).