High-resolution spectrograms of ion acoustic waves in the solar wind

Journal Article · Sun Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1979 · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JA084iA07p03413· OSTI ID:6093937

Kurth, W S; Gurnett, D A; Scarf, F L

Ion acoustic waves, similar to those detected by the Helios spacecraft from 0.3 to 1.0 AU, have now been detected by the Voyager spacecraft in the solar wind out to heliocentric radial distances of 1.7 AU. High bit rate waveform measurements provide the first high resolution, frequency-time spectrograms of these waves. The Voyager spectrograms show that the ion acoustic waves consist of narrowband bursts which last for a few seconds or less. The center frequency of the bursts can fluctuate rapidly in frequency, usually in the range between the electron and ion plasma frequency f/sub p//sup -/ and f/sub p//sup +/ (These waves have been previously referred to as f/sub p//sup +/

• Research Organization: Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242
• OSTI ID: 6093937
• Journal Information: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States) Vol. 84:A7; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640104* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Solar Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
INSTABILITY
ION ACOUSTIC WAVES
ION WAVE INSTABILITY
ION WAVES
MAGNETOSPHERE
OSCILLATION MODES
PLASMA INSTABILITY
PLASMA MICROINSTABILITIES
PLASMA WAVES
SOLAR ACTIVITY
SOLAR WIND
SPACE VEHICLES
VOYAGER SPACE PROBES
WAVE FORMS