Integrating observations and measurements from Parker Solar Probe, Solar Orbiter, and other space- and ground-based observatories

The launch of Parker Solar Probe (PSP) in 2018, followed by Solar Orbiter (SO) in February 2020, has opened a new window in the exploration of solar magnetic activity and the origin of the heliosphere. These missions, together with other space observatories dedicated to solar observations, such as the Solar Dynamics Observatory, Hinode, IRIS, STEREO, and SOHO, with complementary in situ observations from WIND and ACE, and ground based multi-wavelength observations including the DKIST observatory that has just seen first light, promise to revolutionize our understanding of the solar atmosphere and of solar activity, from the generation and emergence of the Sun’s magnetic field to the creation of the solar wind and the acceleration of solar energetic particles.

PSP E8 observing campaign

April 24 - May 8, 2021

Magnetic connections for PSP, Solar Orbiter and 1au in support of the WHPI campaign. Modeling results will be updated regularly.

Current predictions, actual positions and magnetic connections for PSP Encounter 8

Earth, PSP and Solar Orbiter positions and magnetic connections on May 7, 2021. PSP and Earth are magnetically connected to the same open magnetic flux region and measuring properties of the same solar wind stream.
Earth, PSP and Solar Orbiter positions and magnetic connections on May 7, 2021. PSP and Earth are magnetically connected to the same open magnetic flux region and measuring properties of the same solar wind stream.
SDO AIA image corresponding to the above May 7 map
SDO AIA image corresponding to the above May 7 map
Earth, PSP and Solar Orbiter current positions (Apr 30, 2021). PSP and Solar Orbiter are magnetically connected to the same open magnetic flux region and measuring properties of the same solar wind stream.
Earth, PSP and Solar Orbiter current positions (Apr 30, 2021). PSP and Solar Orbiter are magnetically connected to the same open magnetic flux region and measuring properties of the same solar wind stream.
SDO AIA image corresponding to the above Apr 30 map
SDO AIA image corresponding to the above Apr 30 map
PSP and Orbiter current positions (Apr 24) and predicted connections (Apr 28, 29 and May 4, 2021).
PSP and Orbiter current positions (Apr 24) and predicted connections (Apr 28, 29 and May 4, 2021).
The spacecraft and Earth positions and magnetic connections for 23 April 2021 (E8).
The spacecraft and Earth positions and magnetic connections for 23 April 2021 (E8).
SDO AIA image corresponding to the above Apr 23 map
SDO AIA image corresponding to the above Apr 23 map

Earlier predictions for PSP Encounter 8

Synergies between PSP, Solar Orbiter and 1 au observations

April 3, 2021 prediction for E8
April 3, 2021 prediction for E8
April 14, 2021 magnetic map and connectivity prediction for E8. The Earth on Apr 14, 18:00 UT was connected to the magnetic region to which PSP will be connected at its perihelion in 2 weeks, and Solar Orbiter will be connected early May: it is a good opportunity for the ground-based observations ahead of the PSP perihelion on 29 April.
April 14, 2021 magnetic map and connectivity prediction for E8. The Earth on Apr 14, 18:00 UT was connected to the magnetic region to which PSP will be connected at its perihelion in 2 weeks, and Solar Orbiter will be connected early May: it is a good opportunity for the ground-based observations ahead of the PSP perihelion on 29 April.
April 14, 2021 magnetic map and connectivity prediction for E8. This gives the possibility to study evolution of the solar wind properties from the same solar sources as PSP will observe a few weeks later.
April 14, 2021 magnetic map and connectivity prediction for E8. This gives the possibility to study evolution of the solar wind properties from the same solar sources as PSP will observe a few weeks later.
April 17, 2021 18:00 UT magnetic map and connectivity predictions for E8: PSP connections shown for April 17, 28 and 29; Solar Orbiter connections shown for April 17.
April 17, 2021 18:00 UT magnetic map and connectivity predictions for E8: PSP connections shown for April 17, 28 and 29; Solar Orbiter connections shown for April 17.
SDO AIA image corresponding to the above Apr 17 map
SDO AIA image corresponding to the above Apr 17 map

Notations in figures

  • Source maps and mission magnetic connectivity: PFSS magnetic pressure contour maps and solar wind magnetic foot-points along the PSP, Solar Orbiter and Earth trajectories for the time shown under the symbols or at the top of figures.
  • The projection of a mission location - PSP (blue diamond), Solar Orbiter (orange square), Earth (green circle) on the source surface (blue, orange, green crosses) and down to the solar wind source region (blue, orange, green circles) calculated for the height R = 1.2Rs and measured (or predicted) in situ solar wind speed ± 80 km s−1 .
  • Open magnetic field regions shown in blue (negative) and yellow-green (positive), the neutral line is in black bold.

About our modeling

We use the PFSS model developed by Schrijver & De Rosa (2003). For further details see Section 2 in Panasenco et al. (2020).

Contact