Published December 1977 | Version v1
Journal article

Discovery of He2+ and O2+ ions of terrestrial origin in the outer magnetosphere

  • 1. Physikalisches Institut, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland

Description

Using the Ion Composition Experiment (ICE) on board ESA's GEOS satellite we have observed He2+ and O2+ ions of terrestrial origin in the outer magnetosphere predominantly in the energy range approx.1-100 eV. Data were obtained near the equatorial plane at geocentric distances of 3 to 7 earth radii in the local time sector 1500--2100 hours. During periods when doubly charged ions are observed typical abundances are O2+/O+approx.30% and He2+/He+approx.0.5%-10%. The proportions of the major constituents H+, He+, and O+ are highly variable with He+ occassionally the dominant species at higher altitudes

Additional details

Publishing Information

Journal Title
Geophys. Res. Lett.
Journal Volume
4
Journal Issue
12
Series
Geophys. Res. Lett.
Journal Page Range
561-564

INIS

Country of Publication
United States
Country of Input or Organization
United States
INIS RN
9389132
Subject category
S58: GEOSCIENCES;
Descriptors DEI
EV RANGE 01-10; EV RANGE 10-100; GEOS SATELLITES; HELIUM IONS; HYDROGEN IONS 1 PLUS; IONIC COMPOSITION; MAGNETOTAIL; MASS SPECTROMETERS; OXYGEN IONS
Descriptors DEC
CATIONS; CHARGED PARTICLES; ENERGY RANGE; EV RANGE; HYDROGEN IONS; IONS; MEASURING INSTRUMENTS; SATELLITES; SPECTROMETERS