Energetic ion composition in the subsolar magnetopause and boundary layer

Journal Article · Thu Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1982 · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JA087iA04p02139· OSTI ID:5098542

Peterson, W K; Shelley, E G; Haerendel, G; Paschmann, G

Energetic ion mass spectrometer data obtained on ISEE 1 have shown that the plasma in the subsolar magnetospheric boundary layer, magnetopause, and adjacent magnetosheath have an ionospheric component (He/sup +/ and O/sup +/) in addition to the solar wind component (H/sup +/ and He/sup + +/). We have examined in detail nine intervals where the location of the subsolar magnetopause and boundary layer are well defined by the ISEE 1 fast plasma and magnetic field measurements. In five of the identified boundary layer intervals, keV He/sup +/ ions were observed; energetic O/sup +/ ions were seen, above background, in two of the boundary layers where He/sup +/ was observed. The temporal resolution of the ion mass spectrometer was too coarse to rule out the possibility of He/sup +/ or O/sup +/ ions being present in the four remaining intervals. Ionospheric He/sup +/ ions were also observed in the magnetosheath in two (and O/sup +/ in one) of the nine intervals studied.

• Research Organization: Lockheed Palo Alto Research Laboratories, Palo Alto, California 94304
• OSTI ID: 5098542
• Journal Information: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States) Vol. 87:A4; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640203* -- Atmospheric Physics-- Magnetospheric Phenomena-- (-1987)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
BOUNDARY LAYERS
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
IONIC COMPOSITION
IONOSPHERE
LAYERS
MAGNETOPAUSE
MAGNETOSHEATH
MASS SPECTROSCOPY
PLANETARY IONOSPHERES
PLASMA
SOLAR ACTIVITY
SOLAR WIND
SPECTROSCOPY