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Time scales for formation and spreading of velocity shells of pickup ions in the solar windThis paper discusses the process of assimilation (pickup) by the solar wind of newly ionized atoms and molecules. Generally, the pickup process is considered to evolve in three stages: (1) the initial interaction of newly created ions with the interplanetary magnetic field to form the ring-beam distribution; (2) pitch angle scattering of the ring beam to form a hollow shell; and (3) slower velocity diffusion to form a partially filled-in shell distribution. Using numerical simulations of turbulence such as would occur naturally in the solar wind and such as would be encountered near cometary bow shocks, the processes of shell formation and evolution are studied, and the results are used to estimate the time scales for shell formation and diffusion in several situations of recent observational interest, the interstellar He data obtained by AMPTE and cometary ion pickup distributions obtained by various spacecraft at comets Giacobini-Zinner and Halley.
Document ID
19880052778
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Gaffey, J. D., Jr.
(Maryland Univ. College Park, MD, United States)
Wu, C. S.
(Maryland, University College Park, United States)
Winske, D.
(Los Alamos National Laboratory NM, United States)
Date Acquired
August 13, 2013
Publication Date
June 1, 1988
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Geophysical Research
Volume: 93
ISSN: 0148-0227
Subject Category
Solar Physics
Accession Number
88A40005
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-971
CONTRACT_GRANT: NGL-21-002-005
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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