Solar cycle evolution of ICME sheath regions at 1 AU

¹ Space Weather Group, University of Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, Spain
² Institute of Physics, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
³ Space and Atmospheric Electricity Group, Department of Meteorology, University of Reading, Reading, United Kingdom

^★ Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Received: 17 September 2025
Accepted: 25 October 2025

Abstract

Aims. We investigate the evolution of interplanetary coronal mass ejection (ICME) sheath regions at 1 AU across solar cycles 23, 24, and the rising phase of 25, focusing on their variability and turbulence in relation to upstream solar wind conditions and the global heliospheric state.

Methods. Using a dataset of over 900 ICME sheath events, we applied statistical metrics such as the interquartile range (IQR) and the turbulence index (TI) to quantify variability and turbulence. The analysis compares full and rising phases of solar cycles and examines both local ICME parameters (e.g., sheath total pressure, non-radial flows) and global interplanetary indicators such as open solar flux (OSF).

Results. From solar cycle 23 to solar cycle 24, the sheath total pressure and magnetic field strength decreased by over 40% and 25%, respectively, accompanied by reduced turbulence and variability. In contrast, the rising phase of solar cycle 25 shows increased magnetic complexity, particularly in non-radial field components, despite stable bulk parameters. Non-radial flow patterns also shift from tangentially dominated in solar cycle 23 and solar cycle 24 to normal-dominated in solar cycle 25, suggesting changes in ICME orientation and sheath formation mechanisms. No significant correlation is found between OSF and sheath properties, indicating that local solar wind and ICME-specific factors are the primary drivers of sheath evolution.

Conclusions. The study reinforces the importance of upstream solar wind dynamics in relation to variations in plasma and magnetic field measured components of ICME sheaths. The derived trends in turbulence, magnetic orientation, and flow geometry suggest that sheath regions are sensitive indicators of solar cycle phase and should be considered as distinct, structured components in ICME modeling.