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Impact of Universal Plasma and Energetic Particle Processes on Icy Bodies of the Kuiper Belt and the Oort CloudModeling of space plasma and energetic particle interactions with icy bodies of the outer solar system is simplified when there is commonality of the underlying source, acceleration, and transport processes in spatially distinct regions from the supersonic heliosphere through the heliosheath into the local interstellar medium (LISM). Current trends in the Voyager heliosheath measurements suggest strong commonality to processes in the LISM. The Fisk-Gloeckler "universal" spectrum at suprathermal energies apparently plays a strong role in coupling the plasma and high energy particle regimes in the spatial and energetic transitions from the outer heliosphere to the LISM. Dominant processes in consecutive energy regimes project to varying effects versus irradiation depth on exposed upper surfaces of airless small icy bodies and to upper atmospheres of larger bodies such as Titan and Pluto. Relative absence of the universal suprathermal spectrum in the mid-heliospheric region of the classical Kuiper Belt may profoundly affect surface color diversity of icy bodies in this region.
Document ID
20080038052
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Cooper, John F.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Richardson, J. D.
(Massachusetts Inst. of Tech. Cambridge, MA, United States)
Hill, M. E.
(Johns Hopkins Univ. Laurel, MD, United States)
Sturner, S. J.
(Maryland Univ. Baltimore County Baltimore, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
August 24, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2008
Subject Category
Astrophysics
Meeting Information
Meeting: Chapman Conference on Universal Heliophysical Proceses
Location: Savannah, GA
Country: United States
Start Date: November 10, 2008
End Date: November 14, 2008
Sponsors: American Geophysical Union
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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