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Solar cyclic behavior of trapped energetic electrons in Earth's inner radiation beltMagnetic electron spectrometer data from six satellites (OV3-3, OV1-14, OGO 5, S3-2, S3-3, and CRRES) have been used to study long-term (1966-1991) behavior of trapped energetic electrons in the inner radiation belt. Comparison of the observed energy spectra at L equal to or greater than 1.35 for different phases of the solar cycle reveals a clear trend toward enhanced fluxes during periods of solar maximum for energies below a few hundred keV; we suggest that this is caused by an increase in the rate of inward radial diffusion from a source at higher L. In contrast, for L less than 1.30, where atmospheric collisions become increasingly important, the electron flux is reduced during solar maximum; we attribute this to the expected increase in upper atmospheric densities. The electron flux above 1 MeV exhibits a systematic decay beyond 1979 to values well below the current NASA AE-8 model. This indicates that the natural background of high-energy electrons has previously been overestimated due to the long lasting presence of electrons produced by nuclear detonations in the upper atmosphere in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
Document ID
19950045385
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Abel, Bob
(California Univ. Los Angeles, CA, United States)
Thorne, Richard M.
(California Univ. Los Angeles, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 16, 2013
Publication Date
October 1, 1994
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Geophysical Research
Volume: 99
Issue: A10
ISSN: 0148-0227
Subject Category
Solar Physics
Accession Number
95A76984
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: F04695-67-C-0158
CONTRACT_GRANT: NATO-CRG-930237
CONTRACT_GRANT: F04701-69-C-0066
CONTRACT_GRANT: F04701-76-C-0077
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-3590
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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