May 10-12, 1999; Heliospheric-Magnetospheric Relevance

It is possible that some long lasting low density intervals and low momentum 
flow of the solar wind like May 10-12, 1999 may be closely related to the global
re-ordering of the coronal and interplanetary magnetic fields. This rarefaction 
seems to allow the undisturbed flow of suprathermal coronal electrons all the 
way to 1 AU, and are possibly linked to the observed unusual high polar rain 
through the North polar cusp. The magnetosphere uncouples from the solar wind, 
and this offers the rare opportunity to study its configuration when closer to
its "natural" state.

Curator:


 Daniel Berdichevsky - Raytheon-ITSS Corporation at ISTP Science Planning and Operations Facility(SPOF)

(berdi@istp1.gsfc.nasa.gov)