The Acceleration of Lunar Ions by Magnetic Forces in the Terrestrial Magnetotail Lobes

Xin Cao; Jasper Halekas; Andrew Poppe; Feng Chu; Karl-Heinz Glassmeier

doi:10.1029/2020JA027829

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The Acceleration of Lunar Ions by Magnetic Forces in the Terrestrial Magnetotail Lobes

Journal article

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The Acceleration of Lunar Ions by Magnetic Forces in the Terrestrial Magnetotail Lobes

Xin Cao, Jasper Halekas, Andrew Poppe, Feng Chu and Karl-Heinz Glassmeier

Journal of geophysical research. Space physics, Vol.125(6), e2020JA027829

06/01/2020

DOI: 10.1029/2020JA027829

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Abstract

In order to study the acceleration of ions originating from the tenuous exosphere and surface of the Moon, we analyzed data from the ElectroStatic Analyzer (ESA) and Flux Gate Magnetometer (FGM) carried by the Acceleration, Reconnection, Turbulence, and Electrodynamics of Moon's Interaction with the Sun (ARTEMIS) spacecraft. Previous investigations have modeled the acceleration of lunar ions by the motional electric field of the surrounding plasma. However, in the terrestrial magnetotail, where the lunar ion density can equal or even exceed the ambient plasma density, other forces may play an important role in the tenuous plasma environment. Determining what forces govern lunar ion motion is important in understanding their interaction with the ambient plasma in the unique environment of the magnetotail. Based on a detailed analysis of two individual ARTEMIS observations, we find that magnetic pressure and magnetic tension forces may play an important role in accelerating the lunar ions.

Physical Sciences

Astronomy & Astrophysics

Science & Technology

Details

Title: Subtitle: The Acceleration of Lunar Ions by Magnetic Forces in the Terrestrial Magnetotail Lobes
Creators: Xin Cao - University of Iowa
Jasper Halekas - University of Iowa
Andrew Poppe - University of California, Berkeley
Feng Chu - University of Iowa
Karl-Heinz Glassmeier - Technische Universität Braunschweig
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Journal of geophysical research. Space physics, Vol.125(6), e2020JA027829
DOI: 10.1029/2020JA027829
ISSN: 2169-9380
eISSN: 2169-9402
Publisher: Amer Geophysical Union
Number of pages: 12
Grant note: NAS-502099 / NASA; National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA) Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute
Language: English
Date published: 06/01/2020
Academic Unit: Physics and Astronomy
Record Identifier: 9984428785702771

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