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Ionospheric origin of magnetospheric O + ions
Author(s) -
Lockwood M.,
Titheridge J. E.
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/gl008i004p00381
Subject(s) - ionosphere , ion , physics , magnetosphere , polar wind , flux (metallurgy) , polar , atomic physics , geophysics , solar wind , altitude (triangle) , plasma , atmospheric sciences , hydrogen , f region , magnetopause , astronomy , materials science , nuclear physics , quantum mechanics , mathematics , metallurgy , geometry
Flows of thermal atomic oxygen (O + ) ions are deduced from topside ionospheric plasma density profiles. The mean flux within most of the polar cap is of the order of 10 12 m −2 s −1 , a figure which is consistent with both theoretical and experimental estimates of the light ion polar wind at greater altitudes. Larger flows (up to 6 × 10 12 m −2 s −1 ) are observed near the poleward edge of the night‐side statistical auroral oval, a feature not reproduced in the light ion flux. The implication is one of a low altitude acceleration mechanism, acting upon the O + ions at these latitudes and at heights above that at which the fluxes are observed. Such a process would enable ions to escape from the ionosphere because they do not exchange charge with neutral hydrogen. The observations are in general agreement with energetic O + ions as previously observed in various parts of the magnetosphere.