One Possible Reason for Switchback Formation

Abstract

The Parker Solar Probe (PSP), as the spacecraft nearest to the Sun, has revolutionized our comprehension of the solar corona and interplanetary space. Among its significant discoveries is the ubiquity of switchbacks, exhibiting localized magnetic reversals that deviate from the otherwise prevalent Parker spirals. The formation reason of these switchbacks still remains an enigma. In this research, we utilized a 3-dimensional (3D) data-driven global full magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) model to thoroughly investigate the formation reason of switchbacks. Through simulations, we propose a possible formation reason: when disturbances in the velocity or pressure of the plasma near the solar surface arise and their intensity and scope surpass a specific threshold, the magnetic field will progressively curve over time, ultimately forming a switchback structure. Furthermore, the magnitude and range of these perturbations directly correlate with the swiftness of the switchback’s formation; the more intense or widespread the perturbations, the quicker the structure will materialize.