Upstream hydromatic waves and their association with backstreaming ion populations: ISEE 1 and 2 observations

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

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JA086iA06p04471· OSTI ID:6250239

Hoppe, M M; Russell, C T; Frank, L A; Eastman, T E; Greenstadt, E W

Measurements from the Lepedea plasma instruments and the flux gate magnetometers on ISEE 1 and 2 are used to examine the nature of the hydromagnetic waves associated with the various classes of ions backstreaming from the earth's bow shock. The reflected ions, which are confined to a narrow energy and angular range, are accompanied by a small amplitude (< or approx. =1/2..gamma.. peak to peak) left-handed waves at frequencies close to 1 Hz in the spacecraft frame. Diffuse backstreaming particles with a broad energy spectrum are associated with low frequency (approx. 30-s period) large amplitude (approx.5 ..gamma.. peak to peak) waves. Intermediate particles are associated with a mixture of these two wave types. Often the waves associated with the diffuse beams steepen as if they were mini shocks. The leading edge (trailing edge in the spacecraft frame) frequently appears to break up into a whistler mode wave packet. These discrete wave packets are right-hand polarized and have frequencies from below the proton gyrofrequency to well above it in the plasma frame and are blown back towards the earth by the solar wind.

• Research Organization: Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90024
• OSTI ID: 6250239
• 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
ENERGY SPECTRA
HYDROMAGNETIC WAVES
INCLINATION
ION DENSITY
IONS
MAGNETOSPHERE
POLARIZATION
REFLECTION
SCATTERING
SOLAR ACTIVITY
SOLAR WIND
SPECTRA
WAVE PACKETS
WAVE PROPAGATION