Survey of 0. 1- to 16-keV/e plasma sheet ion composition

Journal Article · Sat Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1986 · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JA091iA03p03061· OSTI ID:5939207

Lennartsson, W; Shelley, E G

A large statistical survey of the 0.1- to 16-keV/e plasma sheet ion composition has been carried out using data obtained by the Plasma Composition Experiment on ISEE 1 between 10 and 23 R/sub E/ during 1978 and 1979. This survey includes more than 10 times the quantity of data used in earlier studies of the same topic and makes it possible to investigate in finer detail the relationship between the ion composition and the substorm activity. The larger data base also makes it possible for the first time to study the spatial distribution of the principal ion species. As found in previous studies, the ion composition has a large variance at any given value of the AE index, but a number of distinct trends emerge when the data are averaged at each activity level. During quiet conditions the plasma sheet is dominated by ions of solar origin (H/sup +/ and He/sup + +/), as found in earlier studies, and these ions are most numerous during extended periods of very low activity (AE< or approx. =30 ..gamma..). The quiet time density of these ions is particularly large in the flanks of the plasma sheet (GSM Yapprox. +- 10 R/sub E/), where it is about twice as large as it is near the central axis of the plasma sheet (Y = Z = 0). In contrast, the energy of these ions peaks near the central axis.

• Research Organization: Lockheed Missiles and Space Company, Inc., Palo Alto, California
• OSTI ID: 5939207
• Journal Information: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States) Vol. 91:A3; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640203* -- Atmospheric Physics-- Magnetospheric Phenomena-- (-1987)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
CHARGED PARTICLES
DATA ANALYSIS
DISTRIBUTION
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
EARTH MAGNETOSPHERE
ENERGY LEVELS
HELIUM IONS
ION DENSITY
IONIC COMPOSITION
IONS
MAGNETIC STORMS
OXYGEN IONS
PLASMA SHEET
PLASMASPHERE
SATELLITES
VARIATIONS