Low-altitude trapped protons at the geomagnetic equator

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1989 · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JA094iA01p00145· OSTI ID:6438022

Guzik, T G; Miah, M A; Mitchell, J W; Wefel, J P

Geomagnetically trapped protons in the 0.6- to 9-MeV energy range were measured at latitudes near the geomagnetic equator by the Phoenix 1 experiment on board the S81-1 mission from May to November 1982. The protons show a distribution in latitude along the line of minimum magnetic field strength with a full width at half maximum of approx.10/sup 0/ but with no appreciable longitudinal variation. Between 170 and 290 km the peak proton flux shows a fifth-power altitude dependence, in contrast to previous measurements at higher altitudes, possibly demonstrating source attenuation. The efficiency of the telescope is calculated as a function of particle pitch angle and used to investigate the time dependence (1969--1982) of the intensity. copyright American Geophysical Union 1989

• Research Organization: Department of Physics and Astronomy, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge
• OSTI ID: 6438022
• Journal Information: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States) Vol. 94:A1; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640201* -- Atmospheric Physics-- Auroral
Ionospheric
& Magetospheric Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ALTITUDE
BARYONS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
ENERGY LEVELS
FERMIONS
GEOMAGNETIC EQUATOR
GEOMAGNETIC FIELD
HADRONS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
NUCLEONS
PROTONS
TIME DEPENDENCE
TRAPPED PROTONS