DIURNAL AND LATITUDE EFFECTS OBSERVED FOR 10 KEV ELECTRONS AT LOW SATELLITE ALTITUDES,
Abstract
Using a low energy electron detector on the low altitude, high latitude satellite Injun III, large diurnal and latitude effects have been observed for 10 keV electrons. It is found that intense fluxes of low energy electrons, j (E sub e > or = keV) > or = 2.5 x 10 to the 7th power electrons (sq cm 2 ster sec)1, occur only during local night between 1700 hours and 0700 hours (magnetic local time) and that they occur only between 58 degrees and 76 degrees invariant latitude. These intense fluxes of low energy electrons occur predominantly during periods of high geomagnetic activity. It is also found that a large change in the slope of the electron energy spectrum is associated with the trapping boundary for 40 keV electrons found at high latitudes during local night. This change is from a relatively hard spectrum inside the boundary to a very soft spectrum just ouside the boundary. The intense fluxes of very soft electrons found beyond the 40 keV trapping boundary at low altitudes are thought to be related to the intense fluxes of low energy electrons found by Gringauz (Planet - Space Sci., 9:21-25 (1962)) and by Freeman (J. Geophys. Res., 69:1691-1724 (1964)) at great distances on the night side of the earth. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 1965
- Accession Number
- AD0611437
Entities
People
- Donald A. Gurnett
- Theodore A. Fritz
Organizations
- Iowa State University