THE ROLL-OVER of HELIOSPHERIC NEUTRAL HYDROGEN below 100 eV: OBSERVATIONS and IMPLICATIONS

A. Galli, P. Wurz, N. A. Schwadron, H. Kucharek, E. Möbius, M. Bzowski, J. M. Sokół, M. A. Kubiak, H. O. Funsten, S. A. Fuselier, D. J. McComas

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

31 Scopus citations

Abstract

We present an improved analysis of the energy spectrum of energetic neutral hydrogen from the heliosheath observed with the IBEX-Lo sensor on the Interstellar Boundary EXplorer from the years 2009 to 2012. This analysis allows us to study the lowest energies between 10 and 100 eV although various background sources are more intense than the targeted signal over broad areas of the sky. The results improve our knowledge of the interaction region between our heliosphere and the interstellar plasma because these neutral atoms are direct messengers from the low-energy plasma in the heliosheath. We find a roll-over of the energy spectrum below 100 eV, which has major implications for the pressure balance of the plasma in the inner heliosheath. The results can also be compared directly with in situ observations of the Voyager 1 and 2 spacecraft.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number107
JournalAstrophysical Journal
Volume821
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 20 2016
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

Keywords

  • ISM: general
  • Sun: heliosphere
  • plasmas
  • solar wind

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