1 - TRANSFORMATION OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM

We will list the recent large-scale events in the Solar System in order to fully understand, and comprehend, the PlanetoPhysical transformations taking place. This development of events, as it has become clear in the last few years, is being caused by material and energetic non-uniformity's in anisotropic interstellar space [2,3,4]. In its travel through interstellar space, the Heliosphere travels in the direction of the Solar Apex in the Hercules Constellation. On its way it has met (1960's) non-homogeneities of matter and energy containing ions of Hydrogen, Helium, and Hydroxyl in addition to other elements and combinations.

This kind of interstellar space dispersed plasma is presented by magnetized strip structures and striations. The Heliosphere [solar system - click image right] transition through this structure has led to an increase of the shock wave in front of the Solar System from 3 to 4 AU, to 40 AU, or more. This shock wave thickening has caused the formation of a collusive plasma in a parietal layer, which has led to a plasma overdraft around the Solar System, and then to its breakthrough into interplanetary domains [5,6].

This breakthrough constitutes a kind of matter and energy donation made by interplanetary space to our Solar System.

In response to this "donation of energy/matter," we have observed a number of large scale events:

1.1   A Series of Large PlanetoPhysical Transformations.

The following processes are taking place on the distant planets of our Solar System. But they are, essentially speaking, operationally driving the whole System.

Here are examples of these events:

1. 2   A Change in the Quality of Interplanetary Space Towards an Increase in Its Interplanetary and Solar-Planetary Transmitting Properties.

When speaking of new energetic and material qualities of interplanetary space, we must first point out the increase of the interplanetary domains energetic charge, and level of material saturation. This change of the typical mean state of interplanetary space has two main causes:

It is natural for both interstellar matter and intra-heliospheric mass redistribution's to create new structural units and processes in the interplanetary domains. They are mostly observed in the structured formation of extended systems of magnetic plasma clouds [23], and an increased frequency of the generation of shock waves; and their resulting effects [24].

A report already exists of two new populations of cosmic particles that were not expected to be found in the Van Allen radiation belts [25]; particularly an injection of a greater than 50 MeV dense electron sheaf into the inner magnetosphere during times of abrupt magnetic storms [CME's], and the emergence of a new belt consisting of ionic elements traditionally found in the composition of stars.

This newly changed quality of interplanetary space not only performs the function of a planetary interaction transmission mechanism, but it (this is most important) exerts stimulating and programming action upon the Solar activity both in it's maximal and minimal phases. The seismic effectiveness of the solar wind is also being observed [26,27].

1.3   The Appearance of New States and Activity Regimes of the Sun.

As far as the stellarphysical state of the Sun is concerned, we must first note the fact that significant modifications have occurred in the existing behavioral model of the central object of our solar system. This conclusion comes from observations and reporting of unusual forms, energetic powers, and activities in the Sun's functions [20,21], as well as modifications in it's basic fundamental properties [28].

Since the end of the Maunder minimum, a progressive growth of the Sun's general activity has been observed. This growth first revealed itself most definitely in the 22nd cycle; which posed a real problem for heliophysicists who were attempting to revise their main explanatory scenarios:

Moreover, the Ulysses spacecraft, traversing high heliospheric latitudes, recorded the absence of the magnetic dipole, which drastically changed the general model of heliomagnetism, and further complicated the magnetologist's analytic presentations. The most important heliospheric role of coronal holes has now become clear; to regulate the magnetic saturation of interplanetary space. [28,30].

Additionally, they generate all large geomagnetic storms, and ejection's with a southerly directed magnetic field are geo-effective [22]. There is also existing substantiation favoring the solar winds effects upon Earth's atmospheric zone circulation, and lithospheric dynamics [31].

The 23rd cycle was initiated by a short series of sunspots in August 1995 [32], which allows us to predict the solar activity maximum in 1999. What is also remarkable, is that a series of class C flares has already happened in July 1996 . The specificity and energy of this cycle was discussed at the end of the 1980's. [23].

The increased frequency of X-Ray flux flares which occurred in the very beginning of this cycle provided evidence of the large-scale events to come; especially in relation to an increase in the frequency of super-flashes. The situation has become extremely serious due to the growth in the transmitting qualities of the interplanetary environment [2 3, 24] and the growth of Jupiter's systems heliospheric function; with Jupiter having the possibility of being shrouded by a plasmosphere extending over Io's orbit [13].

As a whole, all of the reporting and observation facilities give evidence to a growth in the velocity, quality, quantity, and energetic power of our Solar System's Heliospheric processes.

Update Note 1/8/98:

The unexpected high level of Sun activity in the later half of 1997, that is continuing into present time, provides strong substantiation of the above statement. There were three "X" level Goes 9 X-Ray Flux events in 1997 where one was forecasted; a 300% increase. The most dramatic of these, a X-9.1 coronal mass ejection on November 6, 1997, produced a proton event here on Earth of approximately 72 hours in duration. The character, scale, and magnitude of current Sun activity has increased to the point that one official government Sun satellite reporting station recently began their daily report by saying,

"Everything pretty much blew apart on the Sun today, Jan. 3,1998."

NEXT  HOME