Modeling the local interstellar flow: comparisons to first observations from IBEX
Abstract
Neutral interstellar atoms enter the heliosphere unperturbed by the heliospheric plasma system. These particles, subject to ionization processes and the gravitational field of the Sun, form a “beam” due to the relative motion of the Sun and the local interstellar medium (LISM). We report here on numerical models of this LISM beam, to determine the properties of this flow in the inner heliosphere. We compare results with the first observations of the IBEX mission, in particular the IBEX-LO sensor, and discuss implications for and the next IBEX observation campaigns and constraints on the LISM parameters.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2009
- Bibcode:
- 2009AGUFMSH21B1511S
- Keywords:
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- 7800 SPACE PLASMA PHYSICS