EarthRef.org Reference Database (ERR)
Development and Maintenance by the EarthRef.org Database Team

Detailed Reference Information
McDonald et al. 1986
McDonald, F.B., vonRosenvinge, T.T., Lal, N., Trainor, J.H. and Schuster, P. (1986). The recovery phase of galactic cosmic ray modulation in the outer heliosphere. Geophysical Research Letters 13: doi: 10.1029/GL013i008p00785. issn: 0094-8276.

Energetic hydrogen and helium nuclei from the galaxy (cosmic rays) enter the solar system with varying degrees of difficulty during the 11-year solar magnetic cycle, resulting in spatial and temporal variations of particle intensities in the heliosphere. We report observations of these variations from the ISEE-3, Voyager 1 and 2, and Pioneer 10 spacecraft during the period from early 1981 to early 1986 and for heliocentric distances ranging from 1 to 37 AU. During this time the high energy intensities in the outer heliosphere have been increasing exponentially at a rate of approximately 20%/year with occasional interruptions due to enhanced solar activity. There are long delays (~3 years) in the recovery of the intensity of low energy particles relative to high energy particles that significantly alter the energy spectra. The radial intensity gradients measured in the ecliptic plane are observed to remain constant or to decrease at the time of the reversal of the solar magnetic poles in 1980.

BACKGROUND DATA FILES

Abstract

Journal
Geophysical Research Letters
http://www.agu.org/journals/gl/
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
2000 Florida Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009-1277
USA
1-202-462-6900
1-202-328-0566
service@agu.org
Click to clear formClick to return to previous pageClick to submit