THE PENETRATION OF SOLAR WIND HYDROGEN TO 300 KM.
Abstract
The penetration of the neutral component of the solar wind is analyzed as a function of depth of penetration in the earth's magnetosphere and exosphere. The fast neutral H atoms collide with thermal H, He, N, O, and their ions and are partly changed into fast protons by charge-changing collisions. As the density of the ions and atoms surrounding the earth changes with local time, month, and year of observation, the attenuation of the energetic neutrals is a time-dependent phenomenon. Calculations were carried out for the year of the largest solar activity, and the results show that an equilibrium condition is reached in which the incident beam is less than 20% ionized. Conditions of near equilibrium are reached at altitudes of 320 km in the morning hours and 400 km in the afternoon hours. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1969
- Accession Number
- AD0693126
Entities
People
- Gilbert Ialongo
Organizations
- The Aerospace Corporation