Solar wind observations at STEREO: 2007 - 2011

We have observed the solar wind extensively using the twin STEREO spacecraft in 2007 - 2011, covering the deep solar minimum 23/24 and the rising phase of solar cycle 24. Hundreds of large-scale solar wind structures have been surveyed, including stream interaction regions (SIRs), interplanetary CMEs (ICMEs), and interplanetary shocks. The difference in location can cause one STEREO spacecraft to encounter 1/3 more of the above structures than the other spacecraft in a single year, even of the quasi-steady SIRs. In contrast with the rising phase of cycle 23, SIRs and ICMEs have weaker field and pressure compression in this rising phase, and ICMEs drive fewer shocks. Although the majority of shocks are driven by SIRs and ICMEs, we find ∼13% of shocks without clear drivers observed in situ.