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Title: IONIZATION OF THE INTERPLANETARY GAS

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:4836310

The ionization and recombination in an outward flowing interplanetary H gas are investigated. Photoionization and electron collision ionization rates are based on recent published experimental data. Recombination rates are taken from calculations which include the Gaunt factors. The density, temperature, and motion of the interplanetary gas are assumed given by Chamberlain's solar breeze model. The equation for ionization equilibrium of the moving gas is derived and solved. The neutral hydrogen--proton ratio is found to be 3.71 x 10/sup -5/ at 1 AU compared with a static model ratio of 8.63 x 10/sup -5/. The effect of the solar breeze motion appears clearly. As expected, the neutral H concentration is too low by a factor of 100 to account for the scattered H Lyman alpha radiation in the night sky or for the H Lyman alpha absorption profile. (auth)

Research Organization:
Los Alamos Scientific Lab., N. Mex.
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-36
NSA Number:
NSA-16-000886
OSTI ID:
4836310
Report Number(s):
LAMS-2596
Resource Relation:
Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-62
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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