Measurement of the North-South asymmetry in the solar proton albedo neutron flux

Journal Article · Sun Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1979 · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JA084iA04p01551· OSTI ID:6183471

Ifedili, S O

The solar proton albedo neutron flux in the range 10/sup -2/--10/sup 7/ eV measured by a neutron detector on board the Ogo 6 satellite was examined for north-south asymmetry. For the solar proton event of December 19, 1969, the S/N ratio of the solar proton albedo neutron rate at geomagnetic latitude lambda>70/sup 0/ was 1.61 +- 0.27 during the event, while for the November 2, 1969, event at 40/sup 0/70/sup 0/ was 1.00 +- 0.26. The results are consistent with the expected N-S asymmetry in the solar proton flux. An interplanetary proton anisotropy with the interplanetary magnetic field polarity away from the sun corresponded to larger fluxes of solar proton albedo neutrons at the north polar cap than at the south, while an interplanetary proton anisotropy with the interplanetary magnetic field polarity toward the sun corresponded to larger fluxes of solar proton albedo neutrons at the south polar cap than at the north. This evidence favors the direct access of solar protons to the earth's polar caps via the merged interplanetary and geomagnetic field lines.

• Research Organization: Department of Physics, Univeristy of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
• OSTI ID: 6183471
• Journal Information: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States) Vol. 84:A4; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640101* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Cosmic Radiation
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ASYMMETRY
BARYONS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
FERMIONS
GEOMAGNETIC FIELD
HADRONS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
NEUTRONS
NORTH-SOUTH ASYMMETRY
NUCLEONS
OGO SATELLITES
POLAR REGIONS
PROTONS
RADIATIONS
SATELLITES
SOLAR NEUTRONS
SOLAR PARTICLES
SOLAR PROTONS
SOLAR RADIATION
STELLAR RADIATION