Micro-Structure of the Heliospheric Termination Shock

Details Micro-Structure of the Heliospheric Termination Shock Micro-Structure of the Heliospheric Termination Shock

Nov 2009

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2009aipc.1183..156z&link_type=abstract

SHOCK WAVES IN SPACE AND ASTROPHYSICAL ENVIRONMENTS: 18th Annual International Astrophysics Conference. AIP Conference Proceedin

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

2

Solar Wind, Shock Wave Effects, Spacecraft, Heliosphere/Interstellar Medium Interactions, Planetary Bow Shocks, Interplanetary Shocks, Spacecraft Sheaths, Wakes, And Charging

Scientific paper

Observations by the Voyager 2 spacecraft of the structure of the heliospheric termination shock revealed a quasi-perpendicular structure that possessed many of the characteristics that are familiar to us from perpendicular shocks observed in the inner heliosphere. However, a surprise was the relative lack of heating experienced by thermal solar wind ions (and electrons), leading to the suggestion that the pickup ions were primarily heated at the heliospheric termination shock. Because the Voyager plasma instrument cannot measure the interstellar pickup ions directly, their behavior at the termination shock could not be gauged directly. Nonetheless, it had already been predicted [16] that the primary dissipation mechanism for the quasi-perpendicular termination shock would be the reflection of pickup ions rather than solar wind ions; this because of the shell-like structure of the pickup ion distribution function. We discuss the effect of pickup ions including their trajectories within the structure of the shock observed by Voyager 2. A model for the shock structure is constructed on the basis of preferentially reflected pickup ions, solutions are discussed, and we estimate the degree of heating for the various components.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Micro-Structure of the Heliospheric Termination Shock does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Micro-Structure of the Heliospheric Termination Shock, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Micro-Structure of the Heliospheric Termination Shock will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1535700