The Distribution of Interstellar Neutrals and Pickup Ions in Interplanetary Space

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With results from Ulysses, Wind and SOHO satellite missions, investigators have obtained a wealth of in-situ heliosphere and interstellar medium data. This data leads to significant accuracy on determining: (1) the heliosphere's size and shape, (2) the very local interstellar medium parameters, (3) physical processes in the interface region between the interstellar medium and heliosphere, and (4) the fractional acceleration of the interstellar ion population to high energies, creating the anomalous cosmic ray component. Continuing to use this data, investigators are deriving a baseline parameter set for interstellar helium by using new data and more accurate models. They are determining the fractional ionization of the local interstellar medium, the fraction of interstellar gas passing thorough the interface layer at the heliospheric boundary, and the input composition for pickup ions accelerated to higher energies, forming the anomalous component of cosmic rays.