The L-Parameter, A New Approximation,
Abstract
McIlwain defined the magnetic shell parameter L for a point in the earth's magnetic field by the equation L cubed B/M = F(I cubed B/M), where I is the integral invariant, B the mirror point field, M the earth's dipole moment, and F a function calculated for a dipole field. A new approximation to F has been found and is: L cubed B/M - 1 + a sub i X sup 1/3 + a(sub 2) X (sup 2/3) + a(sub 3) X where X = I cubed B/M, a sub 1 = 1.35047, a sub 2 = 0.465376, and a sub 3 = 0.0475455. The error in the determination of L is less than 0.01% for all L. The formula is asymptotically correct for X << 1 and X>> 1. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 15, 1971
- Accession Number
- AD0733718
Entities
People
- Henry H. Hilton
Organizations
- The Aerospace Corporation