Publication Abstracts

Shen 1963

Shen, C.S., 1963: An analytic solution for density distribution in a planetary exosphere. J. Atmos. Sci., 20, 69-72, doi:10.1175/1520-0469(1963)020<0069:AASFDD>2.0.CO;2.

An analytical expression ρ(r) = N0[e(1-R/r)E-(1-R2/r2)e-(rE/r+R)], where E is a temperature dependent parameter and R is the radius of the base of exosphere, is derived for the density distribution in a planetary exosphere. The difference between this distribution and the barometric (Boltzmann) formula is small near the base of the exosphere but becomes significant at large r; at r=∞ the barometric formula gives a finite density where our distribution tends to zero. It is shown that according to a strict collisionless exosphere model the particles in the velocity space are confined in a region bounded by a hyperbola and a quarter circle. Outside this region there are no particles; inside, they are distributed by a Maxwellian law. The physical significance of this difference and its effect on the escape rate are discussed.

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BibTeX Citation

@article{sh09300d,
  author={Shen, C. S.},
  title={An analytic solution for density distribution in a planetary exosphere},
  year={1963},
  journal={Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences},
  volume={20},
  pages={69--72},
  doi={10.1175/1520-0469(1963)020%3C0069%3AAASFDD%3E2.0.CO;2},
}

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RIS Citation

TY  - JOUR
ID  - sh09300d
AU  - Shen, C. S.
PY  - 1963
TI  - An analytic solution for density distribution in a planetary exosphere
JA  - J. Atmos. Sci.
JO  - Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences
VL  - 20
SP  - 69
EP  - 72
DO  - 10.1175/1520-0469(1963)020%3C0069%3AAASFDD%3E2.0.CO;2
ER  -

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