Observation of lithium pick-up ions in the 5- to 20-keV energy range following the AMPTE solar wind releases

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

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JA091iA02p01325· OSTI ID:6098250

Moebius, E; Hovestadt, D; Klecker, B; Scholer, M; Gloeckler, G; Ipavich, F M; Luehr, H

Newly created 5- to 20-keV lithium ions were observed for limited time periods following the first Active Magnetospheric Particle Tracer Explorers (AMPTE) lithium release in the solar wind on September 11, 1984. The detection of these so-called ''pick-up'' ions by the time-of-flight spectrometer SULEICA (suprathermal energy ionic charge analyzer) on the AMPTE/IRM satellite depends critically on the orientation of the interplanetary magnetic field with respect to the directions of the solar wind and the spin axis of the IRM spacecraft, which was favorable only during the short time when these ions were seen. Our observations are compatible with a shell-like expansion of the Li cloud with velocities of about 2.5 km/s. The signatures by which the artificial pick-up ions are identified can also be used to detect and investigate natural pick-up ions.

• Research Organization: Max-Planck-Institut fuer Physik und Astrophysik, Institut fuer extraterrestrische Physik, Garching, Federal Republic of Germany
• OSTI ID: 6098250
• 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

640302* -- Atomic
Molecular & Chemical Physics-- Atomic & Molecular Properties & Theory
74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS
CHARGED PARTICLES
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
EARTH MAGNETOSPHERE
ENERGY LEVELS
INTERPLANETARY MAGNETIC FIELDS
IONIZATION
IONS
LITHIUM IONS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
ORIENTATION
SOLAR ACTIVITY
SOLAR WIND
SPACE VEHICLES
SPECTROMETERS
TIME-OF-FLIGHT SPECTROMETERS
VEHICLES