New source of suprathermal O(+) ions near the dayside polar cap boundary

Journal Article · Wed May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1985 · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JA090iA05p04099· OSTI ID:6099038

Lockwood, M; Waite, JR, J H; Moore, T E; Chappell, C R; Johnson, J F.E.

A large number of data on suprathermal O(+) ions taken during the retarding ion mass spectrometer (RIMS) experiment aboard the DE 1 satellite are surveyed. Examples are found of low-energy, upflowing O(+) which are consistent with one or more of the proposed ionospheric escape mechanisms. These include transversely accelerated O(+) ions, indicating low-altitude transverse acceleration, and O(+) field-aligned flows which indicate low-altitude parallel acceleration by either ambipolar or current-driven electric fields. However, by far the most common pitch angle distribution of escaping O(+) is found to be a new type of O(+) flow event which provides evidence for both perpendicular and parallel ion acceleration below the satellite and is found exclusively in the lower latitudes of the dayside polar cap. All species of ions are observed to move upward during these events, with an upward heat flux. 54 references.

• Research Organization: NASA, Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, AL; Science and Engineering Research Council, Didcot, Oxon, England; Southampton Univ., England
• OSTI ID: 6099038
• Journal Information: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States) Vol. 90; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640201* -- Atmospheric Physics-- Auroral
Ionospheric
& Magetospheric Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
CHARGED PARTICLES
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
EARTH MAGNETOSPHERE
ELECTRIC FIELDS
IONIC COMPOSITION
IONOSPHERE
IONS
MASS SPECTROMETERS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
OXYGEN IONS
PLANETARY IONOSPHERES
POLAR REGIONS
SPECTROMETERS