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Solar wind carbon, nitrogen and oxygen abundances measured in the earth's magnetosheath with AMPTE/CCEThe solar wind number density ratios of C(6+) + C(5+) and N(7+) + N(6+) + N(5+) relative to O(8+) + O(7+) + O(6+) have been measured for the first time using data from the Charge-Energy-Mass Spectrometer on the AMPTE/CCE spacecraft during four solar active periods from Sept. 19 to Nov. 1, 1984 when CCE traversed the subsolar magnetosheath of the compressed magnetosphere. It is found that the average values of the density ratios of C/O and N/O to be 0.43 + or - 0.03 and 0.15 + or - 0.06, respectively. These ratios, as well as the average He(2+)/O ratio of 43 + or - 5 for these same time periods, are in excellent agreement with Solar Energetic Particles (SEP) abundance ratios as well as SEP-derived coronal abundances of these elements. The solar wind C/O ratio is substantially below the generally accepted photospheric value of 0.60.
Document ID
19870026472
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Gloeckler, G.
(Maryland Univ. College Park, MD, United States)
Ipavich, F. M.
(Maryland Univ. College Park, MD, United States)
Hamilton, D. C.
(Maryland, University College Park, United States)
Wilken, B.
(Maryland Univ. College Park, MD, United States)
Stuedemann, W.
(Max-Planck-Institut fuer Aeronomie Katlenburg-Lindau, Germany)
Date Acquired
August 13, 2013
Publication Date
August 1, 1986
Publication Information
Publication: Geophysical Research Letters
Volume: 13
ISSN: 0094-8276
Subject Category
Geophysics
Accession Number
87A13746
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NGR-21-002-316
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-101
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS5-716
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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