A Determination of the Charge State of Energetic Magnetospheric Ions by the Observation of Drift Echoes.
Abstract
The mean charge states of heavy ions trapped in the earth's magnetosphere are important parameters for distinguishing among magnetospheric theories. No direct measurements have been made at energies greater than approximately 50 kev. A technique that uses the E/q dependence of ion drift velocity is described in this report. To illustrate the application of this technique, a drift-echo event that followed a substorm occurring at 2100-2200 UT on 25 February 1979 is discussed. In this event the charge state of helium ions was +2 and that of CNO ions was > +2 and probably > or = +5. This result implies that the drift-echo particles were freshly injected solar-wind plasma. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 15, 1984
- Accession Number
- ADA143181
Entities
People
- Daniel N. Baker
- J. B. Blake
- Joseph F. Fennell
- P. R. Higbie
- R. D. Belian
Organizations
- The Aerospace Corporation