MEASUREMENTS IN THE RADIATION BELTS FROM HITCH-HIKER I,
Abstract
The Air Force sub-satellite Hitch-hiker I was launched into an elliptical polar orbit on 1 July 1963. The satellite carried a payload which included six radiation detection instruments for simultaneously investigating the energy spectra and angular distributions of protons and electrons in the Earth's magnetosphere over a broad range of energies. Data from an orbit of 4 July show qualitative differences in the structures of the radiation belts defined by the different energy bands investigated. Electrons of energies greater than 4 MeV (as detected by a Geiger counter) define two distinct zones with hearts at L = approx. 1.6 and L = approx. 4.5, with a pronounced slot between them at L = approx. 3.0. Electrons of energies between 1 and 4 MeV behave similarly. Protons of energies between 1 and 4 MeV are also found to lie in two zones, congruent with the electron zones, but with the outer one not so well pronounced. Electrons of energies between 15 and 100 keV define a single zone, extending beyond L = approx. 6.9, and with a heart around L = approx. 1.6. Differential spectra of electrons from 15 to 100 keV, measured with a 15% resolution, exhibit maxima around 40 keV over an extensive region of the magnetosphere, L <4, but monotonically decrease from 15 keV in regions beyond L = approx. 4. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1964
- Accession Number
- AD0618171
Entities
People
- D. Smart
- F. R. Paolini
- J. R. Waters
- L. Katz
- R. Giacconi