Energetic magnetosheath ions and the interplanetary magnetic field orientation

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

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JA086iA06p04455· OSTI ID:6214890

Crooker, N U; Eastman, T E; Frank, L A; Smith, E J; Russell, C T

Times when energetic ions are absent and present in ISEE 1 magnetosheath plasma spectrograms are correlated with ISEE 3 IMF orientation measurements. The study indicates that when the plasma at the spacecraft is traced along a streamline to the bow shock surface, the angle between the surface normal at that point and the IMF is greater than 60/sup 0/ when the energetic ions are absent and less than 60/sup 0/ when they are present. The pattern is consistent with the ions coming from the same regions of the bow shock where intermediate and diffuse ions are found on the upstream side. The 60/sup 0/ criterion is used to draw schematic patterns of the location of the energetic ions in the magnetosheath as a function of IMF orientation. Some orientations result in layers adjacent to the magnetopause and other orientations give layers adjacent to the bow shock.

• Research Organization: Department of Atmospheric Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90024
• OSTI ID: 6214890
• 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
INTERPLANETARY MAGNETIC FIELDS
ION DENSITY
IONS
MAGNETIC FIELD CONFIGURATIONS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETOPAUSE
MAGNETOSHEATH
MAGNETOSPHERE
ORIENTATION
RADIATION STREAMING
SCATTERING
SOLAR ACTIVITY
SOLAR WIND