Investigation of Mechanisms for the Source and Loss of Electrons from the Radiation Belts Using Data from SEEP, SCATHA and P78-1 Satellites
Abstract
Electron precipitation into the atmosphere entails ionospheric effects that have important consequences for radiowave propagation. Under this contract satellite data as well as ground based measurements have been used to evaluate the source and loss mechanisms for electrons trapped in the radiation belts. With data from the SEEP satellite payload a study was made of short duration (<0.6 sec) microbursts of electrons from the radiation belts. Several of the electron bursts observed at nighttime were correlated with lightning generated whistlers. A seasonal variation was found for the occurrence in precipitating inner belt electrons with peaks in the energy spectra. The fluxes of relativistic electrons precipitating into the atmosphere were found to be correlated with the fluxes of relativistic electrons at high altitudes. To investigate whether wave-particle interactions are responsible for triggering relativistic electron microbursts an examination was made of wave data recorded at Siple Station at times when the SEEP satellite was near Siple or its conjugate point. The wave data indicate that many of the bursts may not be due to wave-particle interactions.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 19, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA243376
Entities
People
- D. W. Datlowe
- H. D. Voss
- J. Mobilia
- W. L. Imhof
Organizations
- Lockheed Martin Missiles and Space