GEOMAGNETIC FIELD PERTURBATIONS DUE TO TRAPPED PARTICLES
Abstract
Explicit expressions are derived for the current and the perturbed field which would be observed as one progressed radially outward in the equatorial plane through the outer radiation belt. A maximum current density of about 10 the the -8 amp/sq m flows in the vicinity of 30,000 km geocentric distance. The total current is of the order of 5 x 10 to the 6 amp. At the point of greatest particle concentration (taken as 5 x 10 to the 6 electrons per cubic meter at 25,000 km), the magnetic field anomaly is of the order of -100 to -250 gamma, depending on how sharply defined is the inner edge of the radiation belt. With the help of these results, the magnetic signature of any reasonable trapped particle distribution can be synthesized provided the gradient of the total field thus obtained is nowhere positive. The calculations appear capable of explaining the Explorer VI results in terms of a radiation belt of limited radial extent, in the vicinity of 40,000 km. It appears difficult to explain the fine structure at 21,000 km in the Lunik I results, but the gross behavior of the magnetic field is fairly well reproduced. The magnitudes of the perturbations differ by a factor of 8, however. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1961
- Accession Number
- AD0254337
Entities
People
- John R. Apel
Organizations
- University of Maryland