ON THE EXTRATERRESTRIAL RING CURRENT DURING GEOMAGNETIC STORMS.
Abstract
Measurements of the differential energy spectrums of protons and electrons, separately, over the energy range extending from approximately equals 200 eV to 50 keV with a sensitive array of electrostatic analyzers borne on the earth-satellite OGO 3 reveal large temporal variations in intensities of these low-energy charged particles at low and moderate latitudes in the outer radiation zone during two moderate geomagnetic storms in late June and early July 1966. The total energy of these low-energy protons and electrons within the earth's magnetosphere is sufficient to account for the depression of the geomagnetic field observed at the earth's surface over low and moderate latitudes; hence these charged particles may be identified as the major contributors to the storm-time extra-terrestrial ring current. The apparent mean lifetimes of low-energy protons in the outer radiation zone are in agreement with calculated lifetimes assuming charge-exchange collisions with the ambient neutral and charged constituents of the terrestrial exosphere as the predominant loss mechanism. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 1967
- Accession Number
- AD0648909
Entities
People
- Louis A. Frank
Organizations
- University of Iowa