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Prompt ionization in the CRIT II barium releasesObservations of electron and ion distributions inside a fast neutral barium jet in the ionosphere show significant fluxes within 4 km of release, presumably related to beam plasma instability processes involved in the Critical Ionization Velocity (CIV) effect. Electron fluxes exceeding 5 x 10 exp 12/sq cm-str-sec-keV were responsible for ionizing both the streaming barium and ambient oxygen. Resulting ion fluxes seem to be consistent with 1-2 percent ionization of the fast barium, as reported by optical observations, although the extended spatial distribution of the optically observed ions is difficult to reconcile with the in situ observations. When the perpendicular velocity of the neutrals falls below critical values, these processes shut off. Although these observations resemble the earlier Porcupine experimental results (Haerendel, 1982), theoretical understanding of the differences between these data and that of earlier negative experiments is still lacking.
Document ID
19920059056
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Torbert, R. B.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Kletzing, C. A.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Liou, K.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Rau, D.
(New Hampshire, University Durham, United States)
Date Acquired
August 15, 2013
Publication Date
May 22, 1992
Publication Information
Publication: Geophysical Research Letters
Volume: 19
Issue: 10 M
ISSN: 0094-8276
Subject Category
Geophysics
Accession Number
92A41680
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG5-656
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF INT-86-19804
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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