The Radiation Belts, Natural and Artificial

Journal Article · Fri Oct 18 04:00:00 EDT 1963 · Science

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1126/science.142.3590.355· OSTI ID:4697434

McIlwain, C. E.

Data on the time- and space-dependence of trapped particles in three categories were obtained by detectors on the Explorer XV satellite. An unexpected secondary peak in the distribution of high-energy protons was found. The fluxes of high-energy protons slowly increased with time but apparently were not affected by geomagnetic events that caused perturbation of the electron fluxes on the same lines of force. About 1 or 2% of the electrons generated by the nuclear detonation of July 9, 1962 were found to be present in the geomagnetic field 125 days later. The electron fluxes in the region between L = 1.25 and 1.65 earth radii varied by less than 35% over the period from day 110 to day 206 after the detonation of 9 July. The spatial distributions of high- and low-energy electrons are quite different. Electrons in the region above L = 1.7 earth radii are strongly perturbed by magnetic disturbances. A new outer zone of both high- and low-energy electrons was formed by the magnetic storm which began December 18, 1962. (P.C.H.)

• Research Organization: Univ. of california, San Diego
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-17-041700
• OSTI ID: 4697434
• Journal Information: Science, Journal Name: Science Journal Issue: 3590 Vol. 142; ISSN 0036-8075
• Publisher: AAAS
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

DISTRIBUTION
EARTH
ELECTRONS
ENERGY RANGE
EXPLORER SATELLITES
LIFETIME
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MEASURED VALUES
NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS
PHYSICS
PRODUCTION
PROTONS
RADIATION BELTS
RADIATION DETECTORS
SATELLITES
VARIATIONS