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DE-1 observations of polar O(+) stream bulk parameters and comparison with a model of the centrifugally-accelerated polar windA survey of bulk parameters of analyzable O(+) outward streams in the mid-altitude (3-4.7 R(sub E) geocentric distance) polar cap magnetosphere is obtained from measurements by the Retarding Ion Mass Spectrometer (RIMS) aboard the Dynamics Explorer-1 (DE-1) spacecraft. There is wide scatter in the obtained densities, but they do display discernible trends: the average O(+) density in these streams decreases from about 60 ions/cc at 3.5 R(sub E) to about 1 ion/cc at 4.6 R(sub E). The streaming velocities are somewhat more defined, and their average increases from about 8 km/s at 3.5 R(sub E) to about 12 km/s at 4.6 R(sub E). The densities and bulk velocities are inversely correlated. We have further compared these observational trends with model profiles for the centrifugally-accelerated polar wind as recently described by Horwitz et al. (1994). The large outflow velocities observed can be understood in part as centrifugally-driven by convection with ionospheric electric field magnitudes of the order 50-70 mV/m, perhaps including plasma expansion effects.
Document ID
19950025322
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Contractor Report (CR)
Authors
Ho, C. Wing (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Horwitz, J. L. (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1995
Subject Category
Geophysics
Report/Patent Number
NASA-CR-198930
NAS 1.26:198930
Accession Number
95N31743
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG8-134
PROJECT: RTOP 432-20-00
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG1-554
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG8-822
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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