Multi-point Scale Length Analysis of Magnetic Structures in the Solar Wind

Authors: Geoffrey Jenkins (University of Michigan), Dr. Mark Moldwin (University of Michigan)

Space weather encompasses the impacts of solar activity within the heliosphere, and most often, we concern ourselves with those reaching the terrestrial magnetosphere. These events cause significant damage to ground and space electronic systems, and they can even impact the health and safety of astronauts working in low Earth orbit. This is why it is important to not only understand the physical nature of space weather, but to develop the ability to predict impacts with enough lead time to mitigate or minimize their negative effects. This work aims to characterize correlation scale lengths of the quiescent solar wind and its transient magnetic features associated with common space weather events. In the current phase of the analysis, we review interplanetary magnetic field data collected by the ACE and WIND spacecraft. A broad range of correlation values is observed, values we use to identify features-of-interest for further review. Here, we highlight instances when space weather is present but the magnetic field measurements between the two spacecraft disagree, and we work to understand why each difference arise. Future work in this analysis will extend to include additional spacecraft, expand observational time periods, and analyze additional solar wind parameters.