Superthermal ionospheric outflows

Journal Article · Wed Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1984 · Rev. Geophys. Space Phys.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/RG022i003p00264· OSTI ID:6218451

Moore, T E

A review is given of the accumulating evidence that ion acceleration and heating at low altitudes play an important role in the dynamics and chemistry of the topside ionosphere and the outflow of plasma into the magnetosphere. Published fluid and kinetic descriptions of the topside ionosphere and ion exosphere provide the macroscopic context in which relevant observations are discussed. Through such models have for the most part been descriptions of regions without the strong magnetic field-aligned currents associated with ion acceleration, the observations suggest possible means of extending the model. The incorporation of transverse acceleration at low altitudes is particularly suggested, and the effects of such heating on ion chemistry are explored using a simple continuity model. One result is that the known response of the neutral atmosphere to solar activity, in the presence of transverse ion heating near 1000 km altitude, implies H/sup +/ escape at solar minimum and O/sup +/ escape at solar maximum. Increasing interest in the modeling of extreme conditions associated with high levels of geomagnetic activity and auroral processes, together with increasing availability of very low energy plasma observations, provides opportunities for fruitful interactions between theory and observation.

• Research Organization: Space Science Laboratory, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Alabama
• OSTI ID: 6218451
• Journal Information: Rev. Geophys. Space Phys.; (United States), Journal Name: Rev. Geophys. Space Phys.; (United States) Vol. 22:7; ISSN RGPSB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640201* -- Atmospheric Physics-- Auroral
Ionospheric
& Magetospheric Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ACCELERATION
ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY
CHARGED PARTICLES
CHEMISTRY
DOCUMENT TYPES
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
FLUID MECHANICS
HEATING
HYDRODYNAMICS
HYDROGEN IONS
IONOSPHERE
IONS
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
MECHANICS
OXYGEN IONS
PLANETARY IONOSPHERES
PLASMA HEATING
REVIEWS