Bibliography

TWINS Observations of the Dynamics of Ring Currents Ion Spectra on 17th March and 7th October 2015

Direct comparisons between RBSP (Van Allen Probes or Radiation Belt Storm Probes) and TWINS (Two Wide-angle Imaging Neutral-atom Spectrometers) for the main phase of two storms, 17th March and 7th October 2015, showed agreement between the in–situ ion measurements and the ion spectra from the deconvolved energetic neutral atom (ENA) measurements, except when O+ ions were significant. Spatial evolution of individual energy peaks in the ion spectra are studied using TWINS data. O+ ions are seen to result in intense peaks at 5–10 keV/amu in the TWINS ion spectra. These ion populations are confined to low L shells (L < 5) and localized in the pre midnight sector. When H+ ions are significant, the low energy peaks ( < 25 keV/amu) are found to be less intense than the high energy peaks ( > 25 keV/amu), located at L > 4 and localized within the premidnight sector. During times of rapidly varying AE indices, two spatially distinct peaks, between 3–5RE and 6–8RE, are observed for the ions with energies > 25 keV/amu. The outer peak appears for a few hours and fades while the inner peak is more stable. These structures are found to be consistent with particle injections observed in the RBSP data. When double peaked structures are swept off, low energy ions accumulate in the pre midnight to midnight sectors whereas high energy ions are located pre to post midnight sectors. Faster drift orbits of > 25 keV/amu ions may cause this kind of distribution.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Shekhar, S.; Perez, J.; Ferradas, C.;

Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics      Published on: 12/2020

YEAR: 2020     DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2020JA028156

Ring Currents; Magnetosphere; energy dependent drift; ion nose; Substorm Injections; Ion Spectra; Van Allen Probes

Comparative Investigation of the Energetic Ion Spectra Comprising the Magnetospheric Ring Currents of the Solar System

Investigated here are factors that control the intensities and shapes of energetic ion spectra that make up the ring current populations of the strongly magnetized planets of the solar system, specifically those of Earth, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Following a previous and similar comparative investigation of radiation belt electrons, we here turn our attention to ions. Specifically, we examine the possible role of the differential ion Kennel-Petschek limit, as moderated by Electromagnetic Ion Cyclotron (EMIC) waves, as a standard for comparing the most intense ion spectra within the strongly magnetized planetary magnetospheres. In carrying out this investigation, the substantial complexities engendered by the very different ion composition distributions of these diverse magnetospheres must be addressed, given that the dispersion properties of the EMIC waves are strongly determined by the ion composition of the plasmas within which the waves propagate. Chosen for comparison are the ion spectra within these systems that are the most intense observed, specifically at 100 keV and 1 MeV. We find that Earth and Jupiter are unique in having their most intense ion spectra likely limited and sculpted by the Kennel-Petschek process. The ion spectra of Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune reside far below their respective limits and are likely limited by interactions with gas and dust (Saturn) and by the absence of robust ion acceleration processes (Uranus and Neptune). Suggestions are provided for further testing the efficacy of the differential Kennel-Petschek limit for ions using the Van Allen Probes.

Mauk, B.;

Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics      Published on: 11/2014

YEAR: 2014     DOI: 10.1002/2014JA020392

Ion Spectra; Magnetic Storms; Planetary magnetospheres; ring current; Van Allen Probes