Cosmic radiation under the radiation belts of the earth.
Abstract
The cosmic-ray distribution of heights above 400 km for latitudes from the equator to the polar cap is plotted on the basis of data obtained with a single gas-proportional counter aboard the Cosmos 426 satellite. It is shown that trapping of albedo particles should be significant at latitudes from the equator to about 50 deg if the cosmic-ray height variation at the polar caps is explained only by the presence of two components (primary cosmic rays and albedo radiation from the atmosphere). It is suggested that such 'quasi-trapped' albedo particles apparently survive for no more than one drift cycle, and a mechanism is proposed for quasi-trapping of albedo electrons.
- Publication:
-
Kosmicheskie Issledovaniia
- Pub Date:
- March 1977
- Bibcode:
- 1977KosIs..15..223A
- Keywords:
-
- Cosmic Ray Albedo;
- Cosmos Satellites;
- Radiation Belts;
- Electron Density Profiles;
- Particle Density (Concentration);
- Proportional Counters;
- Upper Atmosphere;
- Space Radiation