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Title: Ion distributions in a two-dimensional reconnection field geometry

Abstract

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

Authors:
; ;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Iowa
OSTI Identifier:
6836141
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States)
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 14:2
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
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

Citation Formats

Curran, D B, Goertz, C K, and Whelan, T A. Ion distributions in a two-dimensional reconnection field geometry. United States: N. p., 1987. Web. doi:10.1029/GL014i002p00099.
Curran, D B, Goertz, C K, & Whelan, T A. Ion distributions in a two-dimensional reconnection field geometry. United States. https://doi.org/10.1029/GL014i002p00099
Curran, D B, Goertz, C K, and Whelan, T A. 1987. "Ion distributions in a two-dimensional reconnection field geometry". United States. https://doi.org/10.1029/GL014i002p00099.
@article{osti_6836141,
title = {Ion distributions in a two-dimensional reconnection field geometry},
author = {Curran, D B and Goertz, C K and Whelan, T A},
abstractNote = {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},
doi = {10.1029/GL014i002p00099},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/6836141}, journal = {Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States)},
number = ,
volume = 14:2,
place = {United States},
year = {Sun Feb 01 00:00:00 EST 1987},
month = {Sun Feb 01 00:00:00 EST 1987}
}