Energy and Pitch Angle Distributions for Auroral Ions Using the Current Sheet Acceleration Model

Details Energy and Pitch Angle Distributions for Auroral Ions Using the Current Sheet Acceleration Model Energy and Pitch Angle Distributions for Auroral Ions Using the Current Sheet Acceleration Model

May 1974

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1974ap%26ss..28..129j&link_type=abstract

Astrophysics and Space Science, Volume 28, Issue 1, pp.129-144

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

2

Scientific paper

Using a dipole plus tail magnetic field model, H+, He++ and O{16/+6} ions are followed numerically, backward in time, from an output plane perpendicular to the axis of the geomagnetic tail, to their point of entrace to the magnetosphere as solar wind particles in the magnetosheath. An adiabatic or guiding center approximation is used in regions where the particles do not interact directly with the current sheet. A Maxwellian distribution with bulk flow is assumed for solar wind particles in the magnetosheath. Bulk velocity, density, and temperature along the magnetopause are taken from the fluid calculations of Spreiter. Using Liouville's theorem, and varying initial conditions at the output plane, the distribution function is found as a function of energy and pitch angle at the output plane. These results are then mapped to the auroral ionosphere using guiding center theory. Results show that the total precipitation rate is sufficient only for particles which enter the magnetosphere near the edges of the current sheet. Small pitch angles are favored at the output plane, but mappings to the auroral ionosphere indicate isotropic pitch angle distributions are favored with some peaking of the fluxes parallel or at other angles to the field lines. Perpendicular auroral pitch angle anisotropies are at times produced by the current sheet acceleration mechanism. Therefore, caution must be used in interpreting all such observations as ‘loss cone-trapping’ distributions. Energy spectra appear to be quite narrow for small cross-tail electric fields, and a little broader as the electric field increases. Comparisons of these results with experimental observations are presented.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Energy and Pitch Angle Distributions for Auroral Ions Using the Current Sheet Acceleration Model 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 Energy and Pitch Angle Distributions for Auroral Ions Using the Current Sheet Acceleration Model, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Energy and Pitch Angle Distributions for Auroral Ions Using the Current Sheet Acceleration Model will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1595707