Observations of two distinct populations of bow shock ions in the upstream solar wind

Journal Article · Wed Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1978 · Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/GL005i011p00957· OSTI ID:6588451

Gosling, J T; Asbridge, J; Bame, S J; Paschmann, G; Sckopke, N

Observations upstream of the earth's bow shock with the LASL/MPI fast plasma experiments on ISEE 1 and 2 reveal the presence of two distinct and mutually exclusive populations of low energy (< or approx. =40keV) ions apparently accelerated at the bow shock. The first of these, the ''reflected'' population, is characterized by 1) sharply peaked spectra seldom extending much above approx. 10 keV/ion and 2) relatively collimated flow coming from the direction of the shock. On the other hand, the ''diffuse'' ions are distinguished by relatively flat energy spectra above approx. 10 keV and broad angular distributions. They are by far the most commonly observed upstream ion event. A close causal association is suggested between the diffuse ion population in the upstream solar wind and energetic plasma ions observed within the magnetosheath.

• Research Organization: University of California, Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545
• OSTI ID: 6588451
• Journal Information: Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States), Journal Name: Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States) Vol. 5:11; ISSN GPRLA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640107* -- Astrophysics &amp; Cosmology-- Planetary Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ANGULAR DISTRIBUTION
DISTRIBUTION
ENERGY SPECTRA
INTERPLANETARY SPACE
ION DENSITY
MAGNETOSHEATH
SOLAR ACTIVITY
SOLAR WIND
SPACE
SPECTRA