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

Detailed Reference Information
Van Allen et al. 1980
Van Allen, J.A., Thomsen, M.F. and Randall, B.A. (1980). The Energetic Charged Particle Absorption Signature of Mimas. Journal of Geophysical Research 85: doi: 10.1029/JA080i011p05709. issn: 0148-0227.

Data are presented for a 1-min dip in electron intensity that was observed coherently by four different University of Iowa detectors at 1546:51 earth received time on day 244 of 1979 as Pioneer 11 crossed the orbit of Mimas inbound during its encounter with the Saturn system. By a detailed analysis we show that (1) this absorption microsignature in electron intensity is plausibly attributable to the particle sweeping effect of Mimas; (2) the radial width of the signature is caused primarily by energy dispersion in the longitudinal drift rate of electrons and not by radial diffusion; (3) the spectrum of trapped electrons at Mimas is nearly monoenergetic, centered at kinetic energy E=1.59 MeV with a spread ΔE~0.1 MeV; (4) this narrow spectrum, which is unique in magnetosphereic physics, is caused by the 'band-pass filtering' action of the successive inner satellites, most importantly Enceladus, on an inward diffusing population of electrons; and (5) the radial diffusion coefficient D of electrons E=1.0 MeV is 1.0¿10-10 Rs2 s-1 at L=4 and probably in the range 3.7¿10-11 to 8.3¿10-12 Rs2 s-1 at L=3.

BACKGROUND DATA FILES

Abstract

Journal
Journal of Geophysical Research
http://www.agu.org/journals/jb/
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