Wind SMS/STICS: Solar Wind Proton Distribution and Flux, 3-Minute Resolution

NASA's Wind spacecraft collected this Level 2 dataset using the Suprathermal Ion Composition Spectrometer (STICS). The instrument measures proton distribution functions and differential flux in the solar wind across an energy-per-charge range of 6 keV/q to 200 keV/q. Data is provided at a 3-minute (PT3M) cadence, with last metadata update recorded for March 13, 2026.

Use Cases

• Modeling solar wind ion composition and dynamics based on measured 3D velocity distribution functions.
• Analyzing suprathermal particle acceleration mechanisms based on energy-per-charge (E/Q) spectra from 6 to 200 keV/q.
• Studying signal-to-noise characteristics in space plasma measurements based on the described triple-coincidence technique.
• Investigating directional anisotropies in the solar wind based on data from three separate telescope latitude sectors.

Strengths

• Employs a triple-coincidence measurement technique (E/Q, TOF, Residual Energy) that greatly improves signal-to-noise ratio.
• Covers a broad energy-per-charge range from 6 keV/q to 200 keV/q across 32 voltage steps.
• Provides full 3D velocity distribution functions through a combination of three telescopes and spacecraft spin, achieving a nearly 4π sr viewing area.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count and total data volume are unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Data is provided in BIN and HTML formats, which may require specialized tools for analysis.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Collection Method

Collected by the Suprathermal Ion Composition Spectrometer (STICS) instrument aboard the Wind spacecraft.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 03:47:30.270523; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Solar wind measurements from the Wind spacecraft's location in space.