DENSITY OF A NEUTRAL EXOSPHERE DERIVED FROM THE BOLTZMANN EQUATION

Abstract

It is shown that the density of a planetary exosphere can be derived from the Boltzmann equation, provided the equation is modified to take into account the escape component. The solution is obtained through a perturbation method; the zeroth order solution is the barometric formula, which applies when escape is negligible. The solution gives only the total density (ballistic plus bound orbits). (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 01, 1961
Accession Number
AD0266808

Entities

People

  • F. Singer
  • M. Fibich

Organizations

  • University of Maryland

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Boltzmann Equation
  • Equations
  • Exosphere
  • Mathematics
  • Perturbations

Fields of Study

  • Mathematics

Readers

  • Plasma Physics / Magnetohydrodynamics
  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Orbital Debris