Ion distributions in a two-dimensional reconnection field geometry

Journal Article · Sun Feb 01 00:00:00 EST 1987 · Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/GL014i002p00099· OSTI ID:6836141

Curran, D B; Goertz, C K; Whelan, T A

ISEE observations have shown trapped ion distributions in the magnetosphere along with streaming ion distributions in the magnetosheath. The more energetic ion beams are found to exist further away from the magnetopause than lower-energy ion beams. In order to understand these properties of the data, we have taken a simple two-dimensional reconnection model which contains a neutral line and an azimuthal electric field and compared its predictions with the experimental data of September 8, 1978. Our model explains trapped particles in the magnetosphere due to nonadiabatic mirroring in the magnetosheath and streaming ions in the magnetosheath due to energization at the magnetopause. The model also shows the higher-energy ions extending further into the magnetosheath, away from the magnetopause than the lower-energy ions. This suggests the ion data of September 8, 1978 are consistent with a reconnection geometry. Copyright American Geophysical Union 1987

• Research Organization: Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Iowa
• OSTI ID: 6836141
• Journal Information: Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States), Vol. 14:2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
MAGNETOTAIL
IONS
MAGNETIC RECONNECTION
EARTH MAGNETOSPHERE
ELECTRIC FIELDS
ENERGY LEVELS
ENERGY TRANSFER
ION BEAMS
MAGNETIC FIELD CONFIGURATIONS
MAGNETOPAUSE
MAGNETOSHEATH
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
BEAMS
CHARGED PARTICLES
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
640201* - Atmospheric Physics- Auroral
Ionospheric
& Magetospheric Phenomena