Scatter-free propagation of low-energy protons in the magnetosheath: Implications for the production of field-aligned ion beams by nonthermal leakage

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

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JA091iA02p01439· OSTI ID:6059098

Burgess, D; Luhmann, J G

We investigate the scatter-free propagation of low-energy (1--5 keV) protons in the magnetosheath by following test particle trajectories in a model of the magnetosheath fields previously obtained from gasdynamic simulations. We concentrate on those ions energized by near-specular reflection at the quasi-perpendicular shock: the reflected-gyrating ions. Our results indicate that for the most common orientations of the interplanetary field, it is unlikely that such ions when scattered in pitch angle behind the near-perpendicular bow shock (theta/sub Bn/> or =80/sup 0/) can contribute to upstream field-aligned beams leaving the bow shock at shock-normal angles (theta/sub Bn/) greater than 45/sup 0/. Reflected-gyrating ions similarly scattered behind the quasi-perpendicular shock (theta/sub Bn/> or =45/sup 0/) are more likely to contribute to such beams by leaking from the bow shock close to where they entered the magnetosheath.

• Research Organization: Departement de Recherche Spatiale, Laboratoire Associe 264 au Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Observatoire de Paris-Meudon
• OSTI ID: 6059098
• Journal Information: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States) Vol. 91:A2; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640203* -- Atmospheric Physics-- Magnetospheric Phenomena-- (-1987)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ALIGNMENT
BARYONS
BEAMS
CHARGED PARTICLES
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
ENERGY LEVELS
FERMIONS
GEOMAGNETIC FIELD
HADRONS
INTERPLANETARY MAGNETIC FIELDS
ION BEAMS
IONS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETOSHEATH
NUCLEONS
PROTONS
SCATTERING
SHOCK WAVES
TEST PARTICLES
TRAJECTORIES