Since observed velocity distributions of particles in the magnetospher
e generally have a suprathermal tail instead of an exponential one, we
propose to recalculate the density and temperature distributions in a
nonrotating ion exosphere with a Lorentzian velocity distribution fun
ction (VDF) instead of a Maxwellian. The number density, the flux of p
articles, parallel and perpendicular pressures, and energy flux of the
different classes of particles in the exosphere have been determined
for any value of the index kappa characterizing the Lorentzian VDF. Th
e barometric density and temperature distributions for a Maxwellian VD
F and for a Lorentzian VDF are compared. It is shown that for particle
s in an attractive potential, the barometric density decreases more sl
owly with altitude for the Lorentzian VDF. Furthermore, the temperatur
e increases with altitude in this case, while for a Maxwellian VDF, it
is independent of altitude. It is suggested that positive gradients o
f the ion and electron temperatures observed between the topside ionos
phere and the outer plasmasphere can be explained by this effect, that
is, a non-Maxwellian VDF with an enhanced suprathermal tail.