The Plasma Depletion Layer Beyond the Heliopause: Evidence, Implications, and Predictions for Voyager 2

Abstract:

A plasma depletion layer (PDL) is predicted beyond the heliopause, analogous to the PDLs observed sunwards of the magnetopauses of Earth, Mercury, Jupiter, and Saturn. The physics is that draping of interstellar (ISM) magnetic field lines over the heliopause should increase the magnetic field strength (and so the perpendicular ion temperature), cause density depletions by allowing plasma ions (and electrons) with large parallel temperatures to escape along the field, and increase the perpendicular to parallel temperature anisotropy until limited by wave instabilities. It is argued that published Voyager 1 magnetometer and plasma wave data beyond the heliopause provide strong evidence for the magnetic field amplification (by ≈ 30%) and density depletion (by ≈ 50%) expected for the PDL. The predicted reduction in parallel temperature is ≈ 50%. Using the ISM magnetic field direction obtained from the centroid of the IBEX Ribbon, the orientation of the PDL and the associated locations on the heliopause of the points of maximum magnetic field draping and maximum total pressure are predicted. It is observed that the IBEX Ribbon overlies the former while the latter lies within the ridge of maximum non-Ribbon ENA flux. The PDL should be strongest along the ISM field line passing through these points and the nominal Sun-ISM velocity vector. It is predicted that Voyager 2 lies within 5 degrees (≈ 10 AU) of the strong PDL region while Voyager 1 is over 15 degrees (≈ 35 AU) away. Thus Voyager 2 should observe a much stronger PDL (stronger magnetic field amplification, density depletions, and reductions in parallel temperature) than Voyager 1. Finally, the reduced cosmic ray fluxes observed near 90 degree pitchangle by Voyager 1 beyond the heliopause may be explained qualitatively in terms of magnetic focusing as cosmic rays propagate away from the stronger field regions of the PDL and magnetic draping region on the heliopause, assuming isotropic cosmic rays at the heliopause.