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Variation of molecular ions in the inner magnetosphere observed by the Arase satellite
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  • Akari Nagatani,
  • Yoshizumi Miyoshi,
  • Kazushi Asamura,
  • Lynn M. Kistler,
  • Satoko Nakamura,
  • Kanako Seki,
  • Yasunobu Ogawa,
  • Iku Shinohara
Akari Nagatani
Institute for Space-Earth Environmental Research, Nagoya University
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Yoshizumi Miyoshi
Institute for Space-Earth Environmental Research, Nagoya University

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Kazushi Asamura
The Institute of Space and Astronautical Science
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Lynn M. Kistler
University of New Hampshire
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Satoko Nakamura
Nagoya University
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Kanako Seki
The University of Tokyo
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Yasunobu Ogawa
National Institute of Polar Research
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Iku Shinohara
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
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Abstract

We analyzed time-of-flight (TOF) data from the Arase satellite to investigate temporal variations of O2+, NO+, and N2+ at 19.2 keV/q in the inner magnetosphere for 6.5 years from the solar declining to rising phases. Molecular ion counts were estimated by subtracting the background contamination of oxygen counts. While the number of clear molecular events was small, the estimated molecular ion counts exhibited good correlation with the solar wind dynamic pressure and SYM-H index. Long-term variations of molecular ions were different from that of oxygen ions. Additionally, we discuss the importance of the solar wind dynamic pressure in causing the escape of molecular ions into the magnetosphere through an increase in the convection electric field, which causes different evolutions of oxygen ions and molecular ions.
18 Jan 2024Submitted to ESS Open Archive
24 Jan 2024Published in ESS Open Archive