Title:
A kinetic model of the formation of the hot oxygen geocorona. 2: Influence of O(+) ion precipitation
Authors:
Bisikalo, D. V.; Shematovich, V. I.; Gerard, J.-C.
Affiliation:
AARussian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia ABRussian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia ACUniversite de Liege, Liege, Belgium
Journal:
Journal of Geophysical Research (ISSN 0148-0227), vol. 100, no. A3, p. 3715-3720
Publication Date:
03/1995
Category:
Geophysics
Origin:
STI
NASA/STI Keywords:
EXOSPHERE, KINETIC HEATING, MAGNETIC STORMS, MATHEMATICAL MODELS, OXYGEN ATOMS, OXYGEN IONS, PRECIPITATION (CHEMISTRY), ATMOSPHERIC HEATING, CHEMICAL REACTIONS, COLLISIONS, ENERGY DISTRIBUTION, LOCAL THERMODYNAMIC EQUILIBRIUM
Bibliographic Code:
1995JGR...100.3715B

Abstract

A model for the oxygen geocorona near the exobase solving the nonlinear Boltzmann equation with a Monte Carlo method is used to calculate the distribution of the hot oxygen atoms during geomagnetically disturbed nighttime conditions. The precipitation of energetic O(+) ions and the subsequent enhancement of the hot O corona at high latitudes is simulated for the September 17, 1971, storm conditions. It is found that in such circumstances, the O(+) precipitation is a significant source of superthermal O atoms leading to important perturbations of the velocity distribution of the bulk oxygen population. The effective gas temperature near the exobase is similar to that in the undisturbed atmosphere, but the hot O density rises considerably over the quiet condition values.