Potential Solar Precursors to Magnetic Switchbacks
Abstract
The origin of magnetic switchbacks-large-amplitude, spherically polarized magnetic-field fluctuations with local polarity inversions shown to be nearly ubiquitous in the inner heliosphere by Parker Solar Probe-is presently one of the most outstanding open questions in solar and heliospheric science. The occurrence of these structures in the young solar wind is a topic of active research, focusing not only on their characteristics and evolution but also on unraveling the puzzle of their origin. We first discuss the potential influence on switchback (SB) formation of large-scale coronal dynamics and restructuring processes that shape and regulate the extended solar corona. Following that, we review the dynamics, physical properties, occurrence rate, and energetics of numerous possible precursor small-scale dynamic events that occur throughout the solar atmosphere, emphasizing their possible roles in creating SBs. Finally, we discuss some recent studies attempting to connect in situ observations of SBs and SB patches with remote-sensing observations, and the related challenges in identifying solar wind source regions precisely and linking in situ observations to transient solar phenomena. We also clarify the terminology used by the solar community to describe small-scale solar phenomena.
Versions
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BibTeX
@misc{tripathi2026potential,
title = {{Potential Solar Precursors to Magnetic Switchbacks}},
author = {Durgesh Tripathi and Maria S. Madjarska and Judy Karpen and Marco Velli and Clara Froment and Etienne Pariat and Spiros Patsourakos and Nour E. Raouafi and Alexis P. Rouillard and Alphonse C. Sterling and Kostas Tziotziou and Peter F. Wyper},
howpublished = {arXiv},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.48550/arxiv.2607.11431},
eprint = {2607.11431},
archivePrefix = {arXiv},
url = {https://arxiv.org/abs/2607.11431},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - UNPB
TI - Potential Solar Precursors to Magnetic Switchbacks
AU - Durgesh Tripathi
AU - Maria S. Madjarska
AU - Judy Karpen
AU - Marco Velli
AU - Clara Froment
AU - Etienne Pariat
AU - Spiros Patsourakos
AU - Nour E. Raouafi
AU - Alexis P. Rouillard
AU - Alphonse C. Sterling
AU - Kostas Tziotziou
AU - Peter F. Wyper
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/13
PB - arXiv
DO - 10.48550/arxiv.2607.11431
UR - https://arxiv.org/abs/2607.11431
AB - The origin of magnetic switchbacks-large-amplitude, spherically polarized magnetic-field fluctuations with local polarity inversions shown to be nearly ubiquitous in the inner heliosphere by Parker Solar Probe-is presently one of the most outstanding open questions in solar and heliospheric science. The occurrence of these structures in the young solar wind is a topic of active research, focusing not only on their characteristics and evolution but also on unraveling the puzzle of their origin. We first discuss the potential influence on switchback (SB) formation of large-scale coronal dynamics and restructuring processes that shape and regulate the extended solar corona. Following that, we review the dynamics, physical properties, occurrence rate, and energetics of numerous possible precursor small-scale dynamic events that occur throughout the solar atmosphere, emphasizing their possible roles in creating SBs. Finally, we discuss some recent studies attempting to connect in situ observations of SBs and SB patches with remote-sensing observations, and the related challenges in identifying solar wind source regions precisely and linking in situ observations to transient solar phenomena. We also clarify the terminology used by the solar community to describe small-scale solar phenomena.
ER -