Dependence of ion density in the wake of the AE-C satellite on the ratio of body size to Debye length in an (O/sup +/)-dominated plasma

Journal Article · Tue Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1980 · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JA085iA04p01769· OSTI ID:5461286

Samir, U; Kaufman, Y J; Brace, L H; Brinton, H C

Measurements of electron temperature, satellite potential, ion density and ion composition from the cylindrical electrostatic probe and the Bennett ion mass spectrometer on board the AE-C satellite were used to investigate the influence of the body size parameter R/sub D/=R/sub 0//lambda/sub D/ (where R/sub 0/ is the satellite radius and lambda/sub D/ is the ambient Debye length) on ion distribution in the very near wake. The investigation focused on (O/sup +/) plasmas. It was found that the ratio (..beta..) of density in the wake to ambient density varies with R/sub D/ and that the variation can be described by a simple exponential relationship of the form ..beta..=a/sub 0/ exp (a/sub 1/R/sub D/) for 37< or =R/sub D/< or =247 and a/sub 0/=0.006, a/sub 1/=-0.009. the present study extends that of Samir et al. (1979a).

• Research Organization: Space Physics Research Laboratoy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
• OSTI ID: 5461286
• Journal Information: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States) Vol. 85:A4; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640107* -- Astrophysics &amp; Cosmology-- Planetary Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
CHARGED PARTICLES
DEBYE LENGTH
ELECTRON TEMPERATURE
INTERPLANETARY SPACE
ION DENSITY
IONS
OXYGEN IONS
PLASMA
SATELLITES
SPACE