Sources and sinks of energetic electrons and protons in Saturn's magnetosphere

Journal Article · Sat Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1980 · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JA085iA11p05679· OSTI ID:6734844

Van Allen, J A; Randall, B A; Thomsen, M F

This paper reports the results of continuing analysis and interpretation of energetic particle observations obtained by the University of Iowa instrument on Pioneer 11 during traversal of Saturn's magnetosphere in August-September 1979. On the basis of the radial dependence of the phase space density of very energetic protons (E/sub p/>80 MeV) and estimates of the necessary source strength, it is reasonably certain that cosmic rays neutron albedo from the planet's atmosphere and Rings A and B is the source of such particles. At radial distance r=2.7 R/sub s/ and for E/sub p/>80 MeV, the ratio of source strength L to radial diffusion coefficient D is approx.2 x 10/sup -24/ cm/sup -5/. A reasonable pair of values is Lapprox.7 x 10/sup -15/ cm/sup -3/ s/sup -1/ and Dapprox.1 x 10/sup -10/R/sub s//sup 2/ S/sup -1/. The spectrum of electrons 0.040

• Research Organization: Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242
• OSTI ID: 6734844
• Journal Information: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States) Vol. 85:A11; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640107* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Planetary Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ATMOSPHERES
DIFFUSION
DISTRIBUTION FUNCTIONS
ELECTRON DENSITY
FUNCTIONS
PIONEER SPACE PROBES
PLANETARY ATMOSPHERES
PLANETARY MAGNETOSPHERES
PLANETS
PROTON DENSITY
SATURN PLANET
SPACE VEHICLES
VEHICLES