Title :
Characterizing solar flare high energy particles in near-Earth orbits
Author :
Gussenhoven, M.S. ; Brautigam, D.H. ; Mullen, E.G.
Author_Institution :
Air Force Geophys. Lab., Hanscom AFB, MA, USA
fDate :
12/1/1988 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
The high-latitude radiation environment at 840 km for the solar minimum period from December 1983 to October 1987 was measured, using a dosimeter on the DMSP/F7 satellite to characterize solar proton events and compare them to events from earlier periods near solar maximum. The solar proton spectra agree well. A method of characterizing the high-energy particles in solar proton events is proposed. It uses a power spectrum index and dose number that can be useful in specifying polar radiation environments for the design of spacecraft. Latitudinal cutoff levels for higher-energy (>35 MeV, >55 MeV, and >95 MeV) particles are also given for the solar proton event periods and compared to calculated cosmic ray cutoffs
Keywords :
aerospace instrumentation; artificial satellites; cosmic rays; solar flares; 1983 December to 1987 October; 35 to 95 MeV; 840 km; DMSP/F7 satellite; calculated cosmic ray cutoffs; design of spacecraft; dose number; dosimeter; geomagnetic cutoff; high-latitude radiation environment; latitudinal cuttoff levels; near-Earth orbits; power spectrum index; solar flare high energy particles; solar minimum period; solar proton events; solar proton spectra; specifying polar radiation environments; Area measurement; Earth; Extraterrestrial measurements; Force measurement; Magnetosphere; Orbits; Particle measurements; Protons; Satellites; Space vehicles;
Journal_Title :
Nuclear Science, IEEE Transactions on
