ORIGIN AND LOSS OF INNER ZONE PROTONS.
Abstract
The first particles detected in the Van Allen radiation belt were energetic protons near L = 1.2. The suggestion made by Singer that the radiation consisted of protons in the 100-Mev range generated by the decay of cosmic ray albedo neutrons seems still to be valid. The theory is able to account for observations to better than an order of magnitude. However, the region of space in which the theory works is very small, less then one percent of the magnetosphere. Scattering by hydromagnetic waves seems to limit stable trapping to this small region above the magnetic equator. Low energy protons of unknown origin are superimposed on the proton belt of cosmis ray albedo origin. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1965
- Accession Number
- AD0634704
Entities
People
- A. M. Lenchek
Organizations
- University of Maryland