Accession Number:
ADA439680
Title:
Low-Altitude Distribution of Radiation Belt Electrons
Descriptive Note:
Journal article
Corporate Author:
AEROSPACE CORP LOS ANGELES CA
Personal Author(s):
Report Date:
2004-11-10
Pagination or Media Count:
12.0
Abstract:
A numerical simulation of the low-altitude electron radiation belt is described. It includes dependences on the electrons bounce and drift phases, equatorial pitch angle, and kinetic energy in the range of 1 to several MeV at L 3.5. Physical processes in addition to the adiabatic electron motion are pitch angle diffusion and backscattering from a realistic model atmosphere. Quasi-linear diffusion coefficients are calculated from a model of the whistler mode plasmaspheric hiss wave intensity. Comparisons of the simulation results with electron data from a low-altitude satellite show that the model accounts for the main features of the electron spatial distribution during selected periods of differing geomagnetic activity.
Descriptors:
Subject Categories:
- Astrophysics
- Nuclear Physics and Elementary Particle Physics