Influence of large-scale solar wind disturbances on dynamics of outer radiation belt relativistic electrons

Streams of high-energy (E_e approx. 1 MeV) electrons were measured on the Prognoz-7 and Raduga satellites to study the relationship between increases in electron intensity in the outer magnetosphere and large-scale solar wind disturbances. About 50 measurements were made of intensity increases in the outer radiation belt, revealing a dependence of electron intensity on solar wind velocity. It was found that the maximum of the stream of relativistic electrons lags by approx. 2.5 days relative to the solar wind velocity maximum. It is postulated that increases in the stream of relativistic electrons in the outer radiatin belt may be related to an intensification of the radial diffusion of electrons from the boundary of the magnetosphere, assuming that a source of high-energy electrons is situated at the boundary of the magnetosphere. The effect of high velocity solar wind streams on the geomagnetosphere involves electron acceleration near the magnetopause and an intensification of the transfer of high-energy particles into the depths of the magnetosphere.