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A theory of local and global processes which affect solar wind electrons. I - The origin of typical 1 AU velocity distribution functions - Steady state theoryA kinetic theory for the velocity distribution of solar wind electrons which illustrates the global and local properties of the solar wind expansion is proposed. By means of the Boltzmann equation with the Krook collision operator accounting for Coulomb collisions, it is found that Coulomb collisions determine the population and shape of the electron distribution function in both the thermal and suprathermal energy regimes. For suprathermal electrons, the cumulative effects of Coulomb interactions are shown to take place on the scale of the heliosphere itself, whereas the Coulomb interactions of thermal electrons occur on a local scale near the point of observation (1 AU). The bifurcation of the electron distribution between thermal and suprathermal electrons is localized to the deep solar corona (1 to 10 solar radii).
Document ID
19790056615
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Scudder, J. D.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Laboratory for Extraterrestrial Physics, Greenbelt, Md., United States)
Olbert, S.
(MIT Cambridge, Mass., United States)
Date Acquired
August 9, 2013
Publication Date
June 1, 1979
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Geophysical Research
Volume: 84
Subject Category
Solar Physics
Accession Number
79A40628
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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