Charge-exchange-induced perturbations of ion and atom distribution functions in the heliospheric interface

Details Charge-exchange-induced perturbations of ion and atom distribution functions in the heliospheric interface Charge-exchange-induced perturbations of ion and atom distribution functions in the heliospheric interface

2004-06-09

arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0406224v1

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

Proc. 3-rd Annual IGPP-UCR Astrophysics Conference: Physics of the Outer Heliosphere, Riverside, January 2004, AIP, in press

Scientific paper

10.1063/1.1809543

Various hydrodynamic models of the heliospheric interface have been presented meanwhile, numerically simulating the interaction of the solar wind plasma bubble with the counterstreaming partially ionized interstellar medium. In these model approaches the resulting interface flows are found by the use of hydrodynamic simulation codes trying to consistently describe the dynamic and thermodynamic coupling of the different interacting fluids of protons, H-atoms and pick-up ions. Within such approaches, the fluids are generally expected to be correctly described by the three lowest velocity moments, i.e., by shifted Maxwellians. We shall show that in these approaches the charge-exchange-induced momentum coupling is treated in an unsatisfactory representation valid only at supersonic differential flow speeds. Though this flaw can be removed by an improved coupling term, we shall further demonstrate that the assumption of shifted Maxwellians in some regions of the interface is insufficiently well fulfilled both for H-atoms and protons. Using a Boltzmann-kinetic description of the proton- and H-atom- distribution functions coupled by charge exchange processes we emphasize the fact that non-negligible deviations from shifted Maxwellians are generated in the interface. This has to be taken into account when interpreting inner heliospheric measurements in terms of interstellar parameters.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Charge-exchange-induced perturbations of ion and atom distribution functions in the heliospheric interface 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 Charge-exchange-induced perturbations of ion and atom distribution functions in the heliospheric interface, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Charge-exchange-induced perturbations of ion and atom distribution functions in the heliospheric interface will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-375695