AMPTE/UKS Ion Experiment observations of lithium releases in the solar wind

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Abstract
The two Active Magnetospheric Particle Tracer Explorers (AMPTE) lithium releases outside the bow shock were made in quite different conditions in the solar wind. The first took place in a high speed stream in the presence of a diffuse distribution of upstream ions which disturbed the solar wind. Lithium ions were only detected for 15 seconds. During the second release the solar wind flow was much smoother and slower. The lithium ions were observed for 4 minutes. In that time the energy of the detected ions increased from 10 eV up to almost 3 keV. This is consistent with a shell‐like expansion of the neutral lithium cloud and acceleration of the ions in the convection electric field. The solar wind slowed down and was deflected as it passed through the ion cloud.