Variation of molecular ions in the inner magnetosphere observed by the
Arase satellite
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.