Structure, Shape and Movement of the Termination Shock

Abstract

In this paper we review current ideas concerning the morphology and dynamics of the heliospheric termination shock. The mean distance of the shock is expected to lie somewhere in the range 50-200 AU, and should vary with latitude, depending on mean latitude variation of the dynamical pressure of the solar wind. The shock is expected to move in response to variation in upstream solar wind conditions, so that at any particular instant the termination shock will resemble a distorted asymmetric balloon with some parts moving inward and others moving outward. The simplest model of the shock is that of an infinitely thin gasdynamic or magnetohydrodynamic shock wave, which moves inward or outward at speeds of approximately 100 kilometers per second. The structure and motion of the shock will be strongly modified if an appreciable fraction of the incident solar wind energy goes into acceleration of energetic particles, specifically the anomalous cosmic rays.