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Elemental composition in the slow solar wind measured with the MASS instrument on WINDThe MASS instrument on WIND contains the first isochronous time-offlight spectrometer to be flown in the solar wind. The first spectra obtained with this instrument has demonstrated its capability to measure the abundances of several high-and low-FIP elements in the solar wind. The derivation of these abundances requires a careful calibration of the charge exchange efficiencies of the relevant ions in carbon foils. These efficiencies and the corresponding instrument functions have been determined in extensive calibration campaigns at different institutions. We present first and preliminary results obtained in slow solar wind streams and we compare these results with those obtained from previous investigations of solar wind abundances and of coronal abundances as derived from Solar Energetic Particles. Recent models of the FIP related fractionation effect predict a depletion of a factor of typically 4 to 5 for high-FIP elements (He, N, O, Ne, Ar, etc.) relative to low-FIP elements (Mg, Fe, Si, etc.). We also compare our results with the detailed predictions of the different models and we discuss the resulting evidence to validate or to invalidate different physical scenarios explaining the feeding and the acceleration of slow stream solar wind.
Document ID
19960021277
Acquisition Source
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Bochsler, P.
(Bern Univ. Bern, Switzerland)
Gonin, M.
(Bern Univ. Bern, Switzerland)
Sheldon, R. B.
(Bern Univ. Bern, Switzerland)
Zurbuchen, Th.
(Bern Univ. Bern, Switzerland)
Gloeckler, G.
(Maryland Univ. College Park, MD United States)
Galvin, A. B.
(Maryland Univ. College Park, MD United States)
Hovestadt, D.
(Max-Planck-Inst. fuer Extraterrestrische Physik Garching, Germany)
Date Acquired
August 17, 2013
Publication Date
June 30, 1995
Subject Category
Solar Physics
Accession Number
96N24673
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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