Auroral ion distribution function of the E region
Abstract
Because of the relevance to microscopic description of the E region of the auroral latitudes we study polynomial series expansion with emphasis given to precisely modeling the character of the non-Maxwellian velocity distribution. Tri-Maxwellian expansion at the level of the 20-moment approximation is a good solution for the lower part of the E region. The upper part is better modeled by a generalized polynomial series expansion. Under the influence of moderate convection electric fields the ion population can reach very distorted steady state with respect to a Maxwellian shape.
- Publication:
-
Planetary and Space Science
- Pub Date:
- September 1984
- DOI:
- 10.1016/0032-0633(84)90131-4
- Bibcode:
- 1984P&SS...32.1061H
- Keywords:
-
- Auroral Zones;
- Collisional Plasmas;
- E Region;
- Ion Distribution;
- Ionospheric Ion Density;
- Plasma Temperature;
- Boltzmann Transport Equation;
- Computerized Simulation;
- Monte Carlo Method;
- Polynomials;
- Series Expansion;
- Geophysics