Low-energy ions near Neptune

Details Low-energy ions near Neptune Low-energy ions near Neptune

Oct 1991

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1991jgr....9618993r&link_type=abstract

Journal of Geophysical Research Supplement (ISSN 0148-0227), vol. 96, Oct. 30, 1991, p. 18,993-19,011.

Physics

18

Ion Temperature, Neptune (Planet), Planetary Magnetospheres, Solar Wind, Voyager 2 Spacecraft, Hydrogen Ions, Magnetosheath, Magnetospheric Ion Density, Nitrogen Ions, Solar Planetary Interactions, Temperature Profiles

Scientific paper

This paper provides a synopsis of the ion observations near Neptune, from the upstream solar wind through the magnetosheath, magnetosphere, and back out through the magnetosheath to the solar wind. The main emphasis is on the magnetosphere; complete density and temperature profiles are shown for this region. Observations are consistent with the presence of two ion species, H(+) and N(+), which increase in density and temperature with decreasing distance from Neptune. Calculations of the flux tube content and energy invariant imply that N(+) escapes directly from Triton's ionosphere, whereas H(+) is created by ionization of a large neutral H cloud emanating from Triton and extending inward to 8 R(N). Inside L = 8, substantial plasma losses occur; precipitation into Neptune's atmosphere is one loss mechanism, and charge exchange with a hypothesized Neptune-centered H cloud may also be important. Given expected source rates of about 1 x 10 exp 25 ions/s, transport times must be very fast, of the order of 10 exp 5 s at L = 10.

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