Sources and Sinks of Energetic Electrons and Protons in Saturn's Magnetosphere.

Abstract

This paper reports the results of continuing analysis and interpretation of energetic particle observations obtained by the University of Iowa instrument on Pioneer 11 during traversal of Saturn's magnetosphere in August-September 1979. On the basis of the radial dependence of the phase space density of very energetic protons (E(p) > 80 MeV) and estimates of the necessary source strength, it is reasonably certain that cosmic ray neutron albedo from the planet's atmosphere and Rings A and B is the source of such particles. At radial distance r = 2.7 R(s) and for E(p) > 80 MeV, the ratio of source strength s to radial diffusion coefficient D is approx. 2 x 10 to the 24th power cm(exp 5).

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 1980
Accession Number
ADA087109

Entities

People

  • B. A. Randall
  • James A. van Allen
  • M. F. Thomsen

Organizations

  • University of Iowa

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Alpha Particles
  • Bow Shock
  • Charged Particles
  • Corporations
  • Cosmic Rays
  • Detectors
  • Diffusion Coefficient
  • Equations
  • High Energy
  • Intensity
  • Jet Propulsion
  • Longitude
  • Magnetic Fields
  • Orbits
  • Physics
  • Solar Wind
  • Trajectories

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Pulsed Power and Plasma Physics.
  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.
  • Space/Atmospheric Physics.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics
  • Space