Mechanisms for the Source and Loss of Electrons
Abstract
The objectives are to use available satellite particle and bremsstrahlung x-ray data as well as ground based measurements to evaluate the source and loss mechanisms for electrons trapped throughout the radiation belts. Effort has concentrated on compiling the existing electron precipitation data over a wide range of latitudes and comparing the electron data with available wave data. At midlatitudes extensive effort has been devoted to comparing the short duration bursts observed in the SEEP payload on the S81-1 satellite with narrow bursts in the wave data recorded. In several daytime cases general agreement was obtained between chorus wave emission and electron precipitation bursts, but one-to-one coincidences were not observed. The association of electron precipitation at nighttime with lightning generated whistlers is much better in several recently uncovered examples as well as earlier ones. A major contribution to the total electron precipitation rate is associated with those injected into the drift loss cone. Much of the flux observed in the drift loss cone is associated with the nearly monochromatic waves emitted from VLF transmitters, as indicated by narrow peaks in the energy spectra. Study of electron precipitation at high latitudes has benefited from use of bremsstrahlung x-ray data acquired on the SEEP payload as well as the P78-1 satellite. The x-ray spectrometers on P78-1 have been very useful for studying the electron precipitation that regularly occurs near the trapping boundary.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA203066
Entities
People
- D. W. Datlowe
- H. D. Voss
- J. Mobilia
- W. L. Imhof
Organizations
- Lockheed Martin Missiles and Space