Observed perturbations of the velocity distribution of interstellar hydrogen atoms in the solar system with Prognoz Lyman-alpha measurements

The interplanetary Lyman-alpha emission detected at five different points in the solar system by the Prognoz 5 and 6 satellites is due to resonance scattering of solar photons by H atoms of the local interstellar medium that are flowing at a negative relative velocity vector. A hydrogen absorption c...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Astronomy and astrophysics (Berlin) 1984-11, Vol.140 (2), p.243-250
Main Authors: LALLEMENT, R, BERTAUX, J. L, KURT, V. G, MIRONOVA, E. N
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Astronomy
Astrophysics
Earth, ocean, space
Exact sciences and technology
Interplanetary space
Sciences of the Universe
Solar system
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Summary:The interplanetary Lyman-alpha emission detected at five different points in the solar system by the Prognoz 5 and 6 satellites is due to resonance scattering of solar photons by H atoms of the local interstellar medium that are flowing at a negative relative velocity vector. A hydrogen absorption cell is used to analyze spectral profiles, and a purely geometrical method is applied for data analysis. It is noted that when averaged along a line-of-sight, both the bulk velocity and the thermal velocity spread of H atoms are changing with position in the solar system; this confirms previously predicted effects of solar gravitation and the ionization of H atoms by solar wind and EUV radiation. Apparent heating is greater in the downwind direction.
ISSN:0004-6361
1432-0746
1432-0756