Variations of energetic particles in the radiation belts during the strong magnetic storm of March 24-26, 1991
Abstract
Variations in 5.2-5.4 MeV radiation belt protons during the magnetic storm of March 24-26, 1991 are analyzed using data obtained by the Granat satellite. During the recovery phase (L = 3.7 +/- 0.1), the intensity of 5.2-5.4 MeV protons increased by two orders of magnitude in comparison with that prior to the storm. The maximum achievable value of the L parameter for the Granat orbit was 3.6. Based on CRRES satellite data, a belt of protons with energies from several MeV to tens of MeV and electrons with energies of about 15 MeV, with maxima at L = 2.2-2.6, was formed at the moment of the sudden commencement of the storm of March 24, 1991 over a period of 1 min. A possible interpretation of these phenomena is proposed in terms of the theory of trapped particle drift during sudden impulses.
- Publication:
-
Geomagnetism and Aeronomy
- Pub Date:
- December 1993
- Bibcode:
- 1993Ge&Ae..33...41P
- Keywords:
-
- Radiation Belts;
- Energetic Particles;
- Magnetic Storms;
- Crres (Satellite);
- Magnetospheric Proton Density;
- Proton Energy;
- Satellite Observation;
- Relativistic Electron Beams