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On the significance of including the thermal motion of ions in determining the ion distribution behind a satelliteA comparative investigation concerning the spatial distribution of ions in the wake of small bodies was conducted using the theoretical wake models of Call (1969) and Parker (1976). Results for bodies with radius/ambient Debye length ratios of 2 and 5, with an electron temperature equal to the ambient electron temperature, and for the ionic Mach numbers S = 2, 4, 6, 8 are presented. Since the main physical difference between the models is in the consideration of the thermal motion of ions (Parker) versus ignoring this component (Call), a comparison between the models yields the quantitative significance of this component in determining the distribution of ions in the wake of artificial satellites. The application of this result to future experiments to be conducted on board the Spacelab and for any other large space platform in the area of space plasma physics is mentioned.
Document ID
19810054570
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Samir, U.
(Michigan, University Ann Arbor, MI; Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel)
Widjaja, D.
(Michigan, University Ann Arbor, MI, United States)
Date Acquired
August 11, 2013
Publication Date
June 1, 1981
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Geophysical Research
Volume: 86
Subject Category
Geophysics
Accession Number
81A38974
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF ATM-76-19790
CONTRACT_GRANT: NGR-23-005-320
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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