It’s the Ionosphere, Stupid

• What would have accelerated it to 40 keV?

• Why is it strongly field-aligned?

• Why does the energy track at 1/2 of nose ions?

• How can it last from L=7 down to L=3?

• Minimal Theory:

  • Nose ions generate field-aligned potential at 1/2 of their total kinetic energy which extract the ions from deep within the ionosphere.
  • Space Charge

Notes: