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Observations of ions of ionospheric origin in the storm-time ring current

Journal Article · · Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States)

O/sup +/, He/sup +/, and H/sup +/ ions in the energy range 0.5 to 16 keV have been observed in the storm-time ring current with an energetic ion mass spectrometer aboard the polar-orbiting S3-3 satellite. During the main phases of the 29 December 1976, 6 April 1977, and 19 April 1977 magnetic storms, the O/sup +/ number density within the instrument energy range in the inner ring current (L=2.8--4.0) was larger than the H/sup +/ density in the altitude range from about 5000--7000 km. At two days after the main phase of the 29 December 1976 storm, O/sup +/ was still the dominant ion at MLT=14.5 hours in the L=2.6--3.4 range at altitudes near 6000 km.

Research Organization:
Lockheed Palo Alto Research Laboratory, Palo Alto, California 94304
OSTI ID:
5442000
Journal Information:
Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States), Journal Name: Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States) Vol. 4:10; ISSN GPRLA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English