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Sources of Ion Outflow in the High Latitude Ionosphere

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Abstract

Ion composition observations from polar-orbiting satellites in the past three decades have revealed and confirmed the occurrence of a variety of ion outflow processes in the high-latitude ionosphere. These processes constitute a dominant source of ionospheric plasma to the Earth's magnetosphere. We review the current state of our observational knowledge on their occurrence, energy, composition, variability, interrelationships, and quantitative contributions to the overall mass input to the magnetosphere. In addition, we identify the prevalent sources and the gaps of our current understanding of these sources.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Space Research, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

    A. W. Yau

  2. Swedish Institute of Space Physics, Ume∢ Division, Ume∢ University, Ume∢, Sweden

    M. André

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  1. A. W. Yau
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  2. M. André
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Yau, A.W., André, M. Sources of Ion Outflow in the High Latitude Ionosphere. Space Science Reviews 80, 1–25 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1004947203046

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