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The far reaches of the solar wind - Pioneer 10 and Pioneer 11 plasma resultsSelected plasma parameters observed by Pioneer 10 and Pioneer 11 between launch (1972 and 1973) and the end of 1979 are used to find the large-scale radial structure of the solar wind. Comparison of data from the two spacecraft is used to separate temporal from spatial variations. The average bulk speed is found to remain constant at about 430 km/s, with stream structure still evident, though of diminished amplitude, at 20.5 AU (Pioneer 10's distance by the end of 1979). Proton density, flux, pressure, and kinetic energy flux are found to have radial profiles consistent with 1/R-squared. Proton temperatures decrease as R to the -0.6 power, too slowly for an adiabatic expansion.
Document ID
19850031712
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Kayser, S. E.
(SAR, Riverdale, MD; California, University Berkeley, CA, United States)
Barnes, A.
(California Univ. Berkeley, CA, United States)
Mihalov, J. D.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 12, 2013
Publication Date
October 1, 1984
Publication Information
Publication: Astrophysical Journal, Part 1
Volume: 285
ISSN: 0004-637X
Subject Category
Solar Physics
Accession Number
85A13863
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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