A Space Radiation Test Model Study
Abstract
The tools for dynamic modeling of the energetic populations in the outer radiation belts are being developed to better understand the extreme variations of particle flux in response to magnetospheric and solar activity. The study utilizes the SCATHA SC3 high-energy electron data for energies from 200 keV to 2 MeV, with fine pitch-angle measurements over the L-shell range of 5.3 to 7 for quiet and moderate geomagnetic periods in April 1979 and June 1980. A solution of the simultaneous bimodal (radial and pitch-angle) diffusion equation for the radiation belts has been developed with special regard for the requirements of satellite radiation belt data analysis. The solution has been used to test the bimodal theory of outer-electron-belt diffusion by confronting it with satellite data. The data representation requires and provides diffusion parameters that are in agreement with all previous experimental and theoretical determinations of such diffusion coefficients. Such a representation satisfies the basic requirements towards the dynamic modeling of the outer electron radiation belt for L < 7 at quiet and moderate geomagnetic conditions. The presentation has also been shown to be unique when projected off of the satellite trajectory in (L,t)-space. For L about 7 the representation has difficulties with butterfly distributions that may signify energetic electron encounters with the magnetopause.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 17, 1989
- Accession Number
- ADA208760
Entities
People
- G. T. Davidson
- M. A. Rinaldi
- R. M. Robinson
- R. R. Vondrak
- R. W. Nightingale
- W. E. Francis
- Y. T. Chiu
Organizations
- Lockheed Martin Missiles and Space