MeV Magnetosheath Ions Energized at the Bow Shock
Abstract
A causal relationship between mid-latitude magneto sheath energetic ions and bow shock magnetic previously established for ion energy up to 200 keV/e for the May 4, 1998, storm event. This study demonstrates that magneto sheath ions with energies above 200 keV up to 1 MeV simply extend the ion spectrum to form a power-law tail. Results of cross-correlation analysis suggest that these ions also come directly from the quasi-parallel bow shock, not the magnetosphere. This is confirmed by a comparison of energetic ion fluxes simultaneously measured in the magneto sheath and at the quasi-parallel bow shock when both regions are likely connected by the magnetic field lines. We suggest that ions are accelerated at the quasi-parallel bow shock to energies as high as 1 MeV and subsequently transported into the magneto sheath during this event.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA403702
Entities
People
- Harlan Spence
- J. D. Scudder
- Joseph F. Fennell
- K. Kudela
- S. W. Chang
Organizations
- The Aerospace Corporation