Current sheet

Structures of a stellar magnetic field, current sheets cause a number of phenomenon near the edge of the heliosheath in the outer regions of solar systems.

There are three distinct types of current sheets. The structures, appearing as proton boundary layers (PBLs), magnetic holes or humps, or sector boundaries, are identified by characteristic fluctuations in either magnetic field strength or direction. PBLs are defined by a rapid jump in magnetic field strength, with one observed event resulting in a doubling of the field strength in just half an hour. Passing through a sector boundary leads to a sudden change in direction of the magnetic field. Magnetic holes see the field strength drop to near zero before returning to the original background strength. Magnetic humps consist of a sudden spike in strength and then a return to initial levels.