SATELLITE MEASUREMENTS OF LOW-ENERGY ELECTRONS IN THE NORTHERN AURORAL ZONE,

Abstract

Particle flux measurements made with particle detectors aboard a polar orbiting satellite near the northern auroral zone were correlated with radio attenuation and optical measurements on auroras. The incident particle energy deposition was measured in two plastic scintillators shielded by aluminum foils. The detector thresholds correspond to 2 and 28 kev electron energy respectively. Data were obtained for six satellite passes over the auroral zone. Analysis shows good spatial and temporal correlation of particle flux measurements from the satellite and data from ground-based optical and radio detectors. Large variations in the energy distribution of the observed particles were indicated by large changes in the ratio of the detector outputs. For portion of four passes, incident particle information was acquired simultaneously with optical and radio measurements. From data on one well-defined auroral form, comparison was made between the observed luminosity distribution and the distribution calculated from the particle data. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 01, 1963
Accession Number
AD0424369

Entities

People

  • J. B. Reagan
  • J. E. Evans
  • R. D. Sharp
  • W. L. Imhof

Organizations

  • Lockheed Martin Missiles and Space

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aluminum Foil
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Detectors
  • Electron Energy
  • Electrons
  • Energy
  • Ground Based
  • Measurement
  • Particle Flux
  • Particles

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science
  • Physics

Readers

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics.
  • Nuclear and Radiation Engineering.
  • Plasma Physics / Magnetohydrodynamics

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics
  • Space