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The small-scale structure of electrostatic shocks

Authors :
Temerin, M
Cattell, C
Lysak, R
Hudson, M
Torbert, R. B
Mozer, F. S
Sharp, R. D
Kintner, P. M
Source :
Journal of Geophysical Research. 86
Publication Year :
1981
Publisher :
United States: NASA Center for Aerospace Information (CASI), 1981.

Abstract

It is noted that small-scale regions of large electric fields have been observed above the auroral zone by the S3-3 satellite. The data from five such electrostatic shocks are examined in great detail. The three higher altitude shocks (all above 5,700 km) are found to be associated with upward-going ion beams, indicating that the potential associated with the shock closed below the satellite to give rise to the parallel electric field required for the acceleration of the ion beam. In all these cases, electrostatic ion cyclotron waves are found to be adjacent to the shock and to extend throughout the upward-going ion beam region. The lack of noticeable Doppler shift in the electrostatic ion cyclotron waves in association with large convective drift velocities is seen as indicating that the wavelength of the electrostatic ion cyclotron wave can be several kilometers and that the potential difference within the wave can be on the order of 100 V.

Subjects

Subjects :
Geophysics

Details

Language :
English
Volume :
86
Database :
NASA Technical Reports
Journal :
Journal of Geophysical Research
Notes :
N00014-75-C-0294, , NAGW-75, , N0014-75-C-0780
Publication Type :
Report
Accession number :
edsnas.19820033336
Document Type :
Report