Earthward transport of energetic protons in the earth's plasma sheet

Journal Article · Fri May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1981 · Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/GL008i005p00527· OSTI ID:6443935

Lui, A T.Y.; Krimigis, S M

The transport of magnetospheric energetic protons (E/sub p/approx.0.29--0.50 MeV) in the earth's plasma sheet at downstream distances of approx.30--45 R/sub e/ is studied on a statistical basis with 5.5 min average data from the APL/JHU Charged Particle Measurement Experiment on the IMP 7 and IMP 8 spacecraft. The analysis shows that there is a net earthward transport of these particles, although tailward streaming is observed as frequently as earthward streaming. The net transport is earthward for all Kp conditions and for low as well as high flux thresholds. The averaged net particle flux is approx.2 x 10/sup 2/cm/sup -2/sec/sup -1/, which translates into averaged particle and energy fluxes over the plasma sheet region of approx.4 x 10/sup 22/sec/sup -1/ and approx.2 x 10/sup 16/ergs sec/sup -1/, respectively. It is suggested that this particle influx could be a possible source of protons for the earth's outer radiation belt.

• Research Organization: Applied Physics Laboratory, John Hopkins University, Laurel, Maryland 20810
• OSTI ID: 6443935
• Journal Information: Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States), Journal Name: Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States) Vol. 8:5; ISSN GPRLA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640203* -- Atmospheric Physics-- Magnetospheric Phenomena-- (-1987)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
BARYONS
CHARGED-PARTICLE TRANSPORT
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
FERMIONS
HADRONS
IMP SATELLITES
INTERPLANETARY MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETOSPHERE
MAGNETOTAIL
NUCLEONS
PLASMA SHEET
PLASMASPHERE
PROTON TRANSPORT
PROTONS
RADIATION TRANSPORT
SATELLITES