Evolution of planar magnetic structure within the stream interaction region and its connection with a recurrent Forbush decrease

Abstract

In general, stream interaction region (SIR)-induced Forbush decreases are recurrent and low magnitude in nature. The diffusion–convection associated with the SIR plays an important role in their modulation. Here, we study the evolution of planar magnetic structure (PMS) within the SIR and its contribution to cosmic ray modulation. Interestingly, we found the presence of PMS structures within the SIR from the leading part of the SIR to the minimum of the cosmic ray intensity in two events. The PMS may have originated due to the high compression caused by the fast solar wind, which amplifies and aligns the pre-existing discontinuities in the ambient slow solar wind. The study also suggests that the existence of PMS, enhanced initial mass function (IMF) strength, and associated turbulent regions decreases the perpendicular diffusion coefficient and causes a decrease in the cosmic ray intensity observed on Earth. Moreover, a slow decrease in IMF magnitude concurs with the recovery phase of cosmic ray intensity.