Charge States of Heavy Ions in the Energy Range in the Order of 30-130 Kev/q Observed in Upstream Events Associated with the Earth's Bow Shock.
Abstract
The charge state composition has been determined for twelve energetic ((TURN)30 to (TURN)130 keV/Q) diffuse ion events observed upstream of the earth's bow shock using the Ultra Low Energy Charge Analyzer (ULECA) sensor of the Max-Planck-Institut/University of Maryland instrument on ISEE-1. The charge state composition of Q (GREATERTHEQ) 3 ions in these events is found to be constant as a function of energy per charge. In the framework of a Fermi-type acceleration model, this implies a specific form of the diffusion coefficient (e.g., (kappa) (PROPORTIONAL) E/Q). The Q (GREATERTHEQ) 3 charge state distributions, when evaluated at equal energy per charge, are consistent with expected solar wind values. It is suggested that the charge state composition of these locally accelerated heavy ions can be used to estimate the charge state composition in the solar wind, and hence to estimate the equilibrium coronal temperatures associated with a variety of solar wind flows. Average CNO ionization temperatures of ((TURN)1.5 (+OR-) 0.1) x 10('6)K, ((TURN)2.5 (+OR-) 0.5) x 10('6)K, and ((TURN)1.4 (+OR-) 0.1) x 10('6)K have been determined, respectively, for upstream events occuring during interstream, flare -related, and coronal hole-associated solar wind flows. The temperature estimate for coronal hole-associated events represents the first reported measurement in this type of solar wind flow.
- Publication:
-
Ph.D. Thesis
- Pub Date:
- March 1982
- Bibcode:
- 1982PhDT.........3G
- Keywords:
-
- Physics: Astronomy and Astrophysics;
- Bow Waves;
- Earth Magnetosphere;
- Heavy Ions;
- Ion Accelerators;
- Shock Waves;
- Solar Wind;
- Coronal Holes;
- International Sun Earth Explorer 1;
- Solar Corona;
- Solar Flares;
- Solar Temperature;
- Astrophysics