EarthRef.org Reference Database (ERR)
Development and Maintenance by the EarthRef.org Database Team

Detailed Reference Information
Mason et al. 1996
Mason, G.M., Mazur, J.E. and von Rosenvinge, T.T. (1996). Energetic heavy ions observed upstream of the Earth's bow shock by the STEP/EPACT instrument on WIND. Geophysical Research Letters 23: doi: 10.1029/96GL01035. issn: 0094-8276.

The Supra-Thermal through Energetic Particle (STEP) subsystem of the EPACT experiment on the WIND spacecraft observed numerous short duration heavy ion enhancements during the ~9 month period Nov. 1994-Sept. 1995. These enhancements were most frequent and intense when WIND was close to the magnetosphere, but were often observed also during the period when the spacecraft was >100 RE upstream. The events occur in association with high speed solar wind streams that are signatures of corotating interaction regions (CIRs). A typical event observed on January 31, 1995 when WIND was 195 RE upstream showed strong field aligned anisotropies and rapid time variations. Heavy ion abundances near 45 keV/nucleon (nuc) were He:C:O:Fe=86: 1.46:≡1:0.12, similar to those observed at higher energies in CIRs, and distinctly different from magnetospheric ring current abundances measured on the AMPTE spacecraft. We suggest that the CIRs provide the seed population for these heavy ion events, that are then further accelerated in association with the Earth's bow shock. ¿ American Geophysical Union 1996

BACKGROUND DATA FILES

Abstract

Keywords
Solar Physics, Astrophysics, and Astronomy, Energetic particles, Interplanetary Physics, Planetary bow shocks, Interplanetary Physics, Plasma waves and turbulence, Space Plasma Physics, Charged particle motion and acceleration
Journal
Geophysical Research Letters
http://www.agu.org/journals/gl/
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
2000 Florida Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009-1277
USA
1-202-462-6900
1-202-328-0566
service@agu.org
Click to clear formClick to return to previous pageClick to submit