Solar proton event of April 16, 1970 2. Transformation of proton pitch angle distributions from the solar wind into the magnetosheath

Journal Article · Fri Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1977 · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JA082i019p02665· OSTI ID:7218496

Higbie, P R; Palmer, I D

During the event of April 16, 1970, energetic (approx.0.7 MeV) protons were observed by Vela 6B in the solar wind and by Vela 5B in the magnetosheath. During one 4-hour period the omnidirectional flux measured by 5B was a factor of 3 larger than that measured by 6B. The pitch angle distribution observed at this time by 6B was characterized by a strong peak at 0degree pitch angle. Transformation of this distribution according to the Liouville equation accounts for the enhanced omnidirectional flux and the shape of the pitch angle distributions observed at 5B. At a later time in the event, distorted pitch angle distributions, which were observed in the magnetosheath, are accounted for by a Liouville transformation of an assumed unidirectional distribution in interplanetary space. We conclude that particle entry into the magnetosheath was approximately adiabatic.

• Research Organization: University of California, Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory, Los Alamos, Nex Mexico 87545
• OSTI ID: 7218496
• Journal Information: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States) Vol. 82:19; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640104 -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Solar Phenomena
640203* -- Atmospheric Physics-- Magnetospheric Phenomena-- (-1987)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
BARYONS
BOLTZMANN-VLASOV EQUATION
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
DISTRIBUTION FUNCTIONS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
ENERGY RANGE
EQUATIONS
FERMIONS
HADRONS
INCLINATION
INTERPLANETARY SPACE
MAGNETOSHEATH
MEV RANGE
NUCLEONS
PROTONS
RADIATIONS
SOLAR ACTIVITY
SOLAR PARTICLES
SOLAR PROTONS
SOLAR RADIATION
SOLAR WIND
SPACE
STELLAR RADIATION