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A two-spacecraft test of a single spacecraft method of estimating shock normalsBy assuming the validity of a subset of the Rankine-Hugoniot conservation relations for interplanetary (IP) shocks in an isotropic medium it has been demonstrated, in principle, that improved shock normals can be calculated by using a least-squares technique on combined magnetic field and plasma data from a single spacecraft. The scheme uses those six conservation relations not involving pressure and temperature. This paper deals with a test of the scheme by examining in detail a shock across which the magnetic field changed direction by a small amount (approximately 10 deg). On January 26, 1968 at about 1430 UT this shock was observed by the plasma and magnetic field instruments in Explorers 33 and 35. The spacecraft were 76.6 and 56.9 R sub E sunward of the earth, respectively (and 43.5 R sub E from each other), and therefore well outside the earth's bow shock region, a necessary condition for a valid test.
Document ID
19730002071
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Lepping, R. P.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
August 7, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1972
Publication Information
Publication: Solar Wind
Subject Category
Space Sciences
Accession Number
73N10798
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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