Solar and geomagnetic modulation of low-energy secondary cosmic ray electrons

Journal Article · Sun Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1973 · Journal of Geophysical Research

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JA078i010p01502· OSTI ID:4391624

Luhmann, Janet G.; Earl, James A.

Balloon exposures of hodoscope instruments at Churchill, Manitoba, Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Sioux Falls, South Dakota, have established that the flux of return albedo electrons does not depend upon launch latitude and varies with solar modulation in proportion to the intensity of atmospheric secondary electrons. Only one flight out of 21 showed any indication of a magnetospheric electron flux significantly in excess of that attritbutable to albedo. Diurnal changes in geomagnetic cutoffs exhibit marked variability from day to day, as was illustrated by one flight in which a low cutoff was observed at Churchill throughout the daytime hours. The intensity increase of 15 to 65 Mev primary cosmic ray electrons due to solar modulation was no more than a factor of 2 from 1969-1970 to 1971.

• Research Organization: Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, 20742
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-29-001112
• OSTI ID: 4391624
• Journal Information: Journal of Geophysical Research, Journal Name: Journal of Geophysical Research Journal Issue: 10 Vol. 78; ISSN 0148-0227
• Publisher: American Geophysical Union
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

*ELECTRONS-- SECONDARY COSMIC RADIATION
*SECONDARY COSMIC RADIATION-- MODULATION
79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS
ALBEDO
GEOMAGNETIC FIELD
MAGNETOSPHERE
MEV RANGE 10-100