The acceleration of inner-source pickup ions by a propagating interplanetary shock

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

We apply test-particle numerical simulations to model the acceleration of inner-source C+ by a strong interplanetary shock. The model consists of three distinct parts: (a) the distribution of inner-source pickup ions; (b) the initial acceleration of pickup ions (to produce seed particles) for a kinematically defined interplanetary shock; and (c) the acceleration to higher energies and the resulting event-averaged energy spectrum seen by an observer at 1 AU based on the solution to the Parker transport equation for a propagating shock. Our results are compared with observational estimates of the upper bound on the spectrum of C+ ions associated with the Aug. 25, 1998 solar-energetic particle event. Our calculated spectrum is very close to this upper-bound estimate, suggesting that the intensity of accelerated C+ is just at the sensitivity of measurement.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationPickup Ions Throughout the Heliosphere and Beyond - Proceedings of the 9th Annual International Astrophysics Conference
Subtitle of host publicationDedicated to the Memory of Sir W. Ian Axford January 2, 1933 - March 13, 2010
Pages119-124
Number of pages6
DOIs
StatePublished - 2010
Event9th Annual International Astrophysics Conference on Pickup Ions Throughout the Heliosphere and Beyond: Dedicated to the Memory of Sir W. Ian Axford January 2, 1933 - March 13, 2010 - Maui, HI, United States
Duration: Mar 14 2010Mar 19 2010

Publication series

NameAIP Conference Proceedings
Volume1302
ISSN (Print)0094-243X
ISSN (Electronic)1551-7616

Other

Other9th Annual International Astrophysics Conference on Pickup Ions Throughout the Heliosphere and Beyond: Dedicated to the Memory of Sir W. Ian Axford January 2, 1933 - March 13, 2010
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityMaui, HI
Period3/14/103/19/10

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Physics and Astronomy

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