Study of the energy spectra of the major ion species in the ring-current region of the magnetosphere during geomagnetic storms

Thesis/Dissertation · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1987

OSTI ID:6274422

Kistler, L M

Using the University of Maryland/Max Planck Institute for Aeronomy Charge Energy Mass (CHEM) spectrometer on the AMPTE Charge Composition Explorer (CCE) spacecraft, the author examined the near-equatorial storm-time energy spectra of four major magnetospheric ions, H/sup +/, O/sup +/, He/sup +/, and He/sup + +/ over the energy range 1-300 keV/e in the L-range 3-6. The data were obtained during the main phase of all geomagnetic storms with minimum Dst less than -50 in the time period September 1984 to November 1985. During this period, the orbit of the CCE precessed such that the full range of local times was covered. When the spectra are organized by local time, certain features emerge. In particular, there is a dip in the spectra of all ions at 10-20 keV/e in the drawn-to-noon sector, while in the noon-to-dusk sector the proton distribution function drops off sharply below approx.5 keV. These spectra were compared with those predicted by a model of ion drift and loss in the magnetosphere. It was found that the spectra are most consistent with a Volland-Stern electric field with ..gamma.. = 2 and with a rotation of the nominal dawn-to-dusk electric field eastward by two hours local time.

• Research Organization: Maryland Univ., College Park (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6274422
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640201* -- Atmospheric Physics-- Auroral
Ionospheric
& Magetospheric Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ALPHA PARTICLES
BARYONS
CHARGED PARTICLES
CURRENTS
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
EARTH MAGNETOSPHERE
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
ENERGY SPECTRA
FERMIONS
HADRONS
HELIUM IONS
IONS
MAGNETIC STORMS
NUCLEONS
OXYGEN IONS
PROTONS
RING CURRENTS
SPECTRA