Simultaneous observations of field-aligned beams and gyrating ions in the terrestrial foreshock

Details Simultaneous observations of field-aligned beams and gyrating ions in the terrestrial foreshock Simultaneous observations of field-aligned beams and gyrating ions in the terrestrial foreshock

May 2004

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2004jgra..10905107m&link_type=abstract

Journal of Geophysical Research, Volume 109, Issue A5, CiteID A05107

Physics

Plasma Physics

10

Interplanetary Physics: Energetic Particles, Planetary, Interplanetary Physics: Solar Wind Plasma, Interplanetary Physics: Interplanetary Magnetic Fields, Interplanetary Physics: Planetary Bow Shocks, Space Plasma Physics: Shock Waves

Scientific paper

We examine an energetic (2-30 keV) upstream ion event presenting a clear double-peak spectrum observed ~1 RE upstream from the bow shock. The lower-energy (E ~ 3.5 keV) peak is associated with an ion beam propagating along the magnetic field direction, while the higher-energy (E ~ 13 keV) peak is associated with gyrating ions having pitch angles ~30°. The latter population progressively extends to lower energies over the span of the event. During times when the field-aligned beams were observed, the interplanetary magnetic field was remarkably steady, while the appearance of the 30° pitch angle gyrating ions was accompanied by the onset of large-amplitude ultralow frequency fluctuations of the magnetic field. Our analysis indicates that the gyrating ions had guiding centers on field lines downstream of the field-aligned component but that both populations could be sampled simultaneously because of the orbits of the former. We find that the downstream limit of the field-aligned beams is populated with protons having a speed 1.68 times the solar wind velocity, which is inconsistent with any known shock-related emission mechanisms. This boundary makes an angle of 77° with respect to the Sun-Earth line in agreement with theoretical predictions. Just downstream of this rapid transition, gyrating ions having a flow speed of 1.52 times the solar wind speed are observed in association with ULF waves. Like the field-aligned beams, the gyrating ions reported here have streaming speeds inconsistent with any known shock emission mechanisms. While the simultaneous observation of field-aligned and gyrating components is possible because of the large gyration orbits of the latter, the observational sequence is consistent with a very sharp (<~1 gyroradius) boundary separating the guiding centers of each. Explicit observations of such a sharp demarcation between these populations have not been reported before, and they place a significant constraint on the production mechanisms of the two populations. Our interpretation of these observations provides a refinement of the usual framework for foreshock morphology.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Simultaneous observations of field-aligned beams and gyrating ions in the terrestrial foreshock 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 Simultaneous observations of field-aligned beams and gyrating ions in the terrestrial foreshock, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Simultaneous observations of field-aligned beams and gyrating ions in the terrestrial foreshock will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1060205