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Temperature and density structure of thermal proton flowsThermal proton flows along magnetic field lines are an important feature of magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling. In this paper we report the results of a theoretical study of the thermal structure of such flows. The adopted steady state model is based upon O+, H+, and electrons with self-consistent solutions for the separate O+, H+, and electron temperatures, the O+ and H+ densities and the H+ drift velocity. Through investigation of a number of parameters affecting the model, it is shown that Joule heating arising from the flow of H+ through O+ preferentially heats H+, so that the H+ temperature is substantially greater than the O+ temperature. Low O+ densities characteristic of the trough region appear to give high H+/O+ temperature ratios. Typical O+ densities characteristic of polar wind flow regions give moderate H+/O3 temperature ratios. The Mach number of H+ outflow is substantially reduced in the present models in comparison with the older fixed temperature calculations.
Document ID
19750032569
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Banks, P. M.
Schunk, R. W.
(California, University La Jolla, Calif., United States)
Raitt, W. J.
(California, University La Jolla, Calif.; London, University College, Dorking, Surrey, United Kingdom)
Date Acquired
August 8, 2013
Publication Date
November 1, 1974
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Geophysical Research
Volume: 79
Subject Category
Geophysics
Accession Number
75A16641
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: N00014-69-A-0200-6042
CONTRACT_GRANT: NGR-05-009-075
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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