Wind SMS/STICS: Proton Distribution Functions from Magnetosphere, 3-Minute Resolution

STICS uses a triple-coincidence technique combining E/Q, TOF, and residual energy measurements to improve signal-to-noise ratio for ions up to 200 keV/q. The instrument provides full 3D velocity distribution functions through three telescopes and spacecraft spin, tracing a nearly 4π sr viewing area. Data is produced by NASA's Wind spacecraft, with the last metadata update recorded on March 13, 2026.

Use Cases

• Model magnetospheric plasma dynamics based on 3D velocity distribution functions.
• Analyze suprathermal ion composition and energy spectra based on mass and mass-per-charge identification up to 200 keV/q.
• Study signal-to-noise optimization in particle detection based on the described triple-coincidence technique.
• Map ion flux directional patterns based on the instrument's nearly 4π sr viewing area from spacecraft spin.

Strengths

• Ion identification covers an energy-per-charge range of 6 keV/q to 200 keV/q.
• Data collection employs a triple-coincidence technique to improve signal-to-noise ratio.
• The instrument provides full 3D velocity distribution functions through three telescopes and spacecraft spin.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Double-coincidence measurements have limited ion identification, restricted to ions well separated in E/Q - TOF space.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Measured by the Suprathermal Ion Composition Spectrometer (STICS) instrument on the Wind spacecraft.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 13:21:20.851996; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Magnetosphere, with specific viewing sectors (Solar direction in sectors 8-10, Earthward direction in sectors 0-2).