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Measurement and Intensity of Energetic Electrons at the Equator at 6.6 R e
Author(s) -
Lezniak T. W.,
Arnoldy R. L.,
Parks G. K.,
Winckler J. R.
Publication year - 1968
Publication title -
radio science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.371
H-Index - 84
eISSN - 1944-799X
pISSN - 0048-6604
DOI - 10.1002/rds196837710
Subject(s) - electron , physics , earth's magnetic field , intensity (physics) , equator , local time , magnetic dip , astrophysics , van allen radiation belt , quiet , atomic physics , atmospheric sciences , plasma , magnetic field , geophysics , astronomy , magnetosphere , optics , latitude , nuclear physics , quantum mechanics , statistics , mathematics
This paper presents preliminary results of measurements of 50 to 1000 keV electrons at the geomagnetic equator at 6.6 R e . Quiet‐day electron fluxes exhibit a diurnal dip in intensity at local midnight accompanied by a softening of the electron spectrum. During geomagnetically disturbed times the 50 to 150 keV electrons exhibit large fluctuations in intensity; we have denoted these fluctuations as “spikes.” These spikes are largest just after local midnight and decrease in intensity as local time increases. They have a duration of about 1 hr and tend to recur with about a 2‐hr period. The electron spectrum softens considerably during the spikes. Generally the variations in intensity of the electrons correlates excellently with the K p index.