Solar Wind Turbulence Evolution Near Mercury's Orbit

This study presents a comprehensive statistical analysis of solar wind turbulence near Mercury's orbit, utilizing long-term magnetic field measurements from the MESSENGER mission. The extensive dataset, spanning over 17,000 hours of observations, allows for robust statistics across well-defined heliocentric distance intervals. The findings reveal a scale-dependent radial evolution of turbulence, with inertial-range spectral slopes remaining relatively stable while kinetic-range slopes exhibit clear radial evolution. This suggests that kinetic-scale turbulence is more sensitive to heliocentric conditions. The study also highlights the anisotropic nature of solar wind turbulence, with field-aligned magnetic fluctuations showing different behavior compared to perpendicular fluctuations. These results provide valuable constraints on the development of kinetic processes in the inner heliosphere and contribute to a better understanding of solar wind dynamics. The implications extend to space weather forecasting and the design of spacecraft missions operating in the inner solar system, where solar wind turbulence can significantly impact spacecraft performance and longevity.

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