Whole Heliosphere and Planetary Interactions (WHPI): The Big Picture on
Solar Cycle Minima
Abstract
The Whole Heliosphere and Planetary Interactions (WHPI) is an
international initiative to study the most recent solar minimum and its
impact on the interconnected solar-heliospheric-planetary system by
facilitating and encouraging interdisciplinary activities. Particular
WHPI science foci include the global connected structure of the
heliosphere and planetary space environments/atmospheres, the origins
and impacts of high-speed solar wind streams, coronal mass ejections
(CMEs) from Sun-to-Heliopause, and comparative solar minima. This is
achieved through a series of coordinated observing campaigns, including
Parker Solar Probe perihelia, and scientific virtual interactions
including a dedicated workshop where observers and modelers gathered to
discuss, compare, and combine research results. This introduction sets
the scene for the WHPI interval, placing it into the context of prior
initiatives and describing the overall evolution of the system between
2018-2020. Along with the accompanying articles, it presents a selection
of key scientific results on the interconnected
solar-heliospheric-planetary system at solar minimum.