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Triton: topside ionosphere and nitrogen escape.

Y L Yung1, J R Lyons

  • 1Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, USA.

Geophysical Research Letters
|September 1, 1990
PubMed
Summary

Triton's ionosphere is primarily nitrogen ions (N+). Ion escape and dissociative recombination are key processes influencing its structure and evolution, impacting Neptune's magnetosphere.

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Area of Science:

  • Planetary Science
  • Space Physics
  • Ionospheric Physics

Background:

  • Triton's ionosphere is dominated by nitrogen ions (N+).
  • Energetic electrons are the primary ionization source, with photoionization playing a secondary role.
  • The topside plasma scale height requires explanation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explain the observed topside plasma scale height in Triton's ionosphere.
  • To investigate ion escape and dissociative recombination as mechanisms for ion loss.
  • To discuss the implications for Neptune's magnetosphere and Triton's evolution.

Main Methods:

  • Postulating N+ ion escape from Triton to explain plasma scale height.
  • Calculating ion loss rates based on observational data and models.
  • Estimating the rate of neutral fragment production via dissociative recombination.

Main Results:

  • The postulated N+ ion escape rate is 3.4 x 10^7 cm^-2 s^-1 (7.9 x 10^24 ions s^-1).
  • Dissociative recombination of N2+ produces neutral fragments at an estimated rate of 8.6 x 10^6 N cm^-2 s^-1 (2.0 x 10^24 atoms s^-1).
  • These processes are significant for Triton's atmospheric and ionospheric dynamics.

Conclusions:

  • Ion escape and dissociative recombination are crucial for understanding Triton's ionosphere.
  • These processes have implications for the evolution of Triton and the magnetosphere of Neptune.
  • Further research is needed to fully constrain these mechanisms.
Keywords:
NASA Discipline ExobiologyNASA Discipline Number 52-20NASA Program ExobiologyNon-NASA Center

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