Observed distribution functions of H, He, C, O, and Fe in corotating energetic particle streams: Implications for interplanetary acceleration and propagation

Journal Article · Fri Jun 15 04:00:00 EDT 1979 · Astrophys. J., Lett.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/182991· OSTI ID:5983675

Gloeckler, G; Hovestadt, D; Fisk, L A

Distribution functions for H, He, C, O, and Fe derived from our IMP 8 measurements of approx.0.15 to approx.8 MeV per nucleon particles in three corotating streams observed near Earth are shown to have a simple exponential dependence on the particle speed. The e-folding speed, upsilon/sub 0/, is typically 0.01c, is found to be the same for the distribution functions of all elements examined, and varies little from one corotating event to the next. The relative abundance of energetic particles in these events resemble most closely the solar coronal composition and thus, presumably, that of the solar wind. These results may imply that the acceleration of these particles, which occurs in corotating interaction regions at several AU from the Sun, is by a statistical process.

• Research Organization: Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Maryland
• OSTI ID: 5983675
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J., Lett.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J., Lett.; (United States) Vol. 230:3; ISSN AJLEA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640101* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Cosmic Radiation
640107 -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Planetary Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ABUNDANCE
ACCELERATION
CARBON
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CHEMISTRY
COSMIC NUCLEI
COSMIC RADIATION
COSMOCHEMISTRY
CRYOGENIC FLUIDS
DISTRIBUTION FUNCTIONS
ELEMENTS
ENERGY SPECTRA
FLUIDS
HELIUM
HYDROGEN
INTERPLANETARY SPACE
IONIZING RADIATIONS
IRON
METALS
NONMETALS
NUCLEI
OXYGEN
RADIATIONS
RARE GASES
SOLAR ACTIVITY
SOLAR FLARES
SOLAR WIND
SPACE
SPECTRA
STOCHASTIC PROCESSES
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
VELOCITY