Motion of Trapped Electrons and Protons in Saturn's Inner Magnetosphere.
Abstract
A summary is given of basic formulas for the guiding center motion of energetic charged particles trapped in a dipolar magnetic fields. These formulas for longitudinal drift rates, latitudinal bounce periods, equatorial gyroradii, and equatorial gyroperiods are then stated in convenient numerical form for electrons and protons as functions of kinetic energy e, magnetic shell parameter L, and equatorial pitch angle alpha sub O for a slightly simplified model of the observed magnetic field of Saturn. To aid in the study of the interaction of charged particles with the rings and inner satellites of Saturn, additional formulas are given for the time interval between successive encounters of charged particles particles with a satellite in a circular prograde orbit and for the energies of electrons whose longitudinal angular velocity is resonant, or synchronous, with the Keplerian angular velocity of such a satellite. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1980
- Accession Number
- ADA087945
Entities
People
- James A. van Allen
- M. F. Thomsen
Organizations
- University of Iowa