Reflected and diffuse ions backstreaming from the earth's bow shock 2. Origin

Journal Article · Mon Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1981 · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JA086iA06p04405· OSTI ID:5989067

Bonifazi, C; Moreno, G

The morphology of the foreshock region and the origin of the 'reflected' and 'diffuse' ion populations are investigated for the first time through an extended statistical analysis. Data are supplied by the solar wind experiment on the satellite ISEE 2 in the period November 5 to December 20, 1977. It is confirmed, on a statistical basis, that quasi-perpendicular shock structures generate beams of reflected ions which propagate along the interplanetary magnetic field lines against the incoming solar wind. Diffuse ions are at least in part originated by the disruption of the reflected beams due to some plasma instability, having a growth time of the order of a few tens of seconds. A preliminary energy balance appears to be consistent with the proposed picture of the phenomena occurring in the foreshock region.

• Research Organization: Istituto Plasma Spazio, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Frascati, Italy
• OSTI ID: 5989067
• Journal Information: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States) Vol. 86:A6; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640203* -- Atmospheric Physics-- Magnetospheric Phenomena-- (-1987)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
BACKSCATTERING
CHARGED PARTICLES
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
INSTABILITY
INSTABILITY GROWTH RATES
INTERPLANETARY MAGNETIC FIELDS
IONS
MAGNETIC FIELD CONFIGURATIONS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETOSHEATH
MAGNETOSPHERE
PLASMA INSTABILITY
SCATTERING
SHOCK WAVES
SOLAR ACTIVITY
SOLAR WIND