[Wibberenz 1985 a]

Dynamics of intense upstream ion events

G. Wibberenz, H. M. Fischer, F. Zoellich and E. Keppler.
Dynamics of intense upstream ion events.
Journal of Geophysical Research, 90, 283-301. Sponsorship: Bundesministerium fuer Forschung und Technologie. 1985


Contents

Temporal structures, energy spectra, and spatial gradients of 25-70 keV protons during four intense upstream ion events observed on December 3, 1977 are studied using the medium-energy particle telescope on ISEE 2. The connection path is introduced as the intersection of a field line with the bow shock surface between its first and last contact with the bow shock. The influence of the connection time and connection path on temporal structures, absolute intensities, and energy spectra is discussed. The specific orbit allows a direct determination of the field-aligned spatial gradient during a sequence of two events. Detailed analysis of anisotropies in the plane perpendicular to the radial direction reveals a number of hitherto unknown features of spatial gradients of the energetic ion density. The existence of a spatial gradient during the equilibrium phase of an event which points towards the nose of the bow shock is reported for the first time.


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