南大西洋异常区高能质子通量南北向差异

利用2012年8月NOAA N15,N16,N17,N18卫星中能质子和电子探测器（MEPED）>6.9MeV质子能档的数据,研究了800km高度处南大西洋异常区（SAA）质子分布的南北方向差异.数据显示,质子计数率沿经线随纬度的变化近似满足高斯分布,且向南运动的质子多于向北运动的质子.MEPED具有0°和90°两个探测方向,可对质子投掷角分布进行估算,从而消除在探测南向和北向质子时探测器方向角偏差所造成的影响.结果表明,在经度40°W、纬度13°S至23°S位置上,仍然存在南向质子比北向质子多20%~30%的现象.其原因可能与地磁异常使南向质子镜像点更低,更多质子散射进入大气层沉降有关.分析还发现,南大西洋异常区质子通量存在地方时变化.日侧比夜侧强约20%,这可能是由于地磁场日变化引起的.      

基于SAMPEX卫星观测的南大西洋异常区高能质子动态分布特征

利用SAMPEX卫星1992年7月至2004年6月19～27MeV高能质子数据对南大西洋异常区的分布特征进行研究, 发现南大西洋异常区高能质子分布随高度及F_10.7的变化十分显著. 在540±25km高度上, 地磁较为平静时期南大西洋异常区高能质子微分通量随着F_10.7的增大而减小, 同时在F_10.7≥115sfu时减小趋势较为平缓. 对中等及以上磁暴进行统计分析发现, 磁暴期间南大西洋异常区高能质子微分通量和SYM-H指数的绝对值存在明显的反相关关系, 且地磁暴对南大西洋异常区高能质子微分通量存在明显的持续影响效应. 磁暴发生期间高能质子微分通量明显减少. 磁暴恢复相及其之后高能质子微分通量呈现较为显著的恢复过程.      

辐射带AP9模式在南大西洋异常区的系统性量化评估

针对目前辐射带AP9模式量化评估不够系统的问题，基于F_10.7指数确定高、中、低太阳活动水平，以三种太阳活动水平条件下NOAA-15观测的140~500MeV的全向质子通量为参考数据，以南大西洋异常区为对比区域，定义边界吻合度和大小量级差为评估指标，将辐射带AP9模式分别与AP8模式和参考数据进行对比，对AP9模式进行系统性量化评估.结果表明，AP8和AP9模式均能重构出南大西洋异常区，但AP8模式重构的南大西洋异常区轮廓与观测结果更为吻合.平均而言，AP8和AP9模拟结果均比观测值高，AP8比AP9更接近观测值.太阳活动水平越低，AP9与观测之间的差距越小.      

FY-3A卫星与NOAA系列卫星高能带电粒子实测结果的比较

FY-3A卫星是运行于830 km高度的太阳同步轨道气象卫星, 其搭载的空间环境监测器可观测3~300 MeV的高能质子和0.15~5.70 MeV的高能电子. FY-3A卫星在轨工作期间, 太阳活动处于由谷年向峰年过渡期, 空间环境非常平静, 探测结果显示3~300 MeV的高能质子分布主要集中在南大西洋辐射带异常区, 0.15~5.70 MeV的高能电子分布区域除南大西洋异常区外, 还分布在南北两极高纬区域. FY-3A与NOAA卫星测量结果反映出带电粒子强度及分布区域随投掷角变化的空间各向异性特征. 本文在充分考虑了带电粒子时间、空间分布差异以及比对探测器之间自身设计差异的前提下, 经过归一化处理后, 首次对两颗卫星同期探测结果进行相关性分析, 验证了两颗卫星相同时空条件下高能带电粒子通量分布的一致性; 说明FY-3A空间环境监测器不仅具备空间带电粒子辐射监测能力, 且探测结果有效可靠, 可用作辐射带环境数据源的组成部分, 为发展新的模型, 深入研究辐射带高能粒子的分布、起源和传输等提供新的观测依据.      

FY-3A卫星与NOOA系列卫星高能带电粒子实测结果的比较

FY-3A卫星是运行于830 km高度的太阳同步轨道气象卫星,其搭载的空间环境监测器可观测3～300 MeV的高能质子和0.15～5.70 MeV的高能电子.FY-3A卫星在轨工作期间,太阳活动处于由谷年向峰年过渡期,空间环境非常平静,探测结果显示3～300 MeV的高能质子分布主要集中在南大西洋辐射带异常区,0.15～5.70 MeV的高能电子分布区域除南大西洋异常区外,还分布在南北两极高纬区域.FY-3A与NOAA卫星测量结果反映出带电粒子强度及分布区域随投掷角变化的空间各向异性特征.本文在充分考虑了带电粒子时间、空间分布差异以及比对探测器之间自身设计差异的前提下,经过归一化处理后,首次对两颗卫星同期探测结果进行相关性分析,验证了两颗卫星相同时空条件下高能带电粒子通量分布的一致性;说明FY-3A空间环境监测器不仅具备空间带电粒子辐射监测能力,且探测结果有效可靠,可用作辐射带环境数据源的组成部分,为发展新的模型,深入研究辐射带高能粒子的分布、起源和传输等提供新的观测依据.     

2008年4月24日行星际激波事件相关联的超热电子90°投掷角的增强

利用测试粒子数值模拟的方法研究了与STEREO-A卫星观测到的2008年4月24日行星际激波事件相关联的超热电子90°投掷角的增强.根据激波到达前给定时刻超热电子的观测分布,拟合得到不同投掷角的初始分布函数;在给定的激波参数下,采用时间向后的方法计算特定能道上激波下游超热电子的投掷角分布.由于超热电子具有较高的共振频率,模拟采用的磁场湍流谱包含了低能电子发生共振的耗散区.对以215.76,151.67,106.63,eV为中心的三个能道进行了模拟.结果表明,不同能道上超热电子在激波下游的投掷角分布均在90°投掷角附近出现峰值,呈现出明显的90°投掷角增强,这与观测结果符合得很好.可以认为在激波对电子的加速过程中,电子与湍流耗散区的共振对90°投掷角的增强具有重要作用.      

质子辐射带辐射中心区域模型

利用AP-8和CRRESPRO质子辐射带模式数据库, 比较了二者在磁赤道面上计算结果 的差异并给出其差异原因. 利用AP-8模式数据库数据, 建立起质子辐射带函数形式的辐射中心区域模式, 包括各能道全向微分通量峰值所对应的L值(L_c) 随能量E的变化模式以及各能道全向微分通量峰值J_max随能量E的变化模式. 利用RBSP A卫星REPT望远镜在磁赤道面上的高能质子观测数据, 分别与 AP-8模式、CRRESPRO模式及本文所得辐射中心区域模式计算结果进行比较, 发现在78.9, 102.6和208MeV三个能道上, RBSP A卫星观测所得各能道全向微分 通量明显偏大, 而L_c与AP-8或本文辐射中心模式所得结果基本一致; RBSP A卫星也观测到CRRESPRO Quiet模式所得的隐性第二质子辐射带结构.      

基于NOAA卫星数据的辐射带质子投掷角分布研究

利用NOAA-12卫星数据对空间环境平静时期太阳同步轨道处辐射带质子投掷角分布进行了研究. 根据投掷角分布的经验公式,计算出90°投掷角的质子方向强度和各向异性指数n. 质子投掷角分布按n的取值范围可分为三类,即90°峰值分布、平顶分布和蝴蝶形分布. 观测证实,对于辐射带质子,三种分布类型均存在并且具有明显的空间区域特征. 在内辐射带边缘地区90°峰值分布占主要优势;在外辐射带高L值区域,90°峰值分布明显减少,平顶分布和蝴蝶形分布逐渐增多. 针对90°峰值分布,研究了质子强度各向异性的区域分布特征,对于内辐射带区域,n值随L值的增大而增大,对于外辐射带,n值表现为逐渐下降的趋势. 为了研究质子投掷角分布对磁地方时的依赖关系,分析了能量为250～800keV的质子在两个不同磁地方时范围的投掷角分布规律. 结果显示,在内辐射带,质子强度的投掷角分布相对稳定,随磁地方时的变化并不显著;而在外辐射带的高L值区域,质子强度的投掷角分布随磁地方时变化明显,与磁地方时之间有明显的依赖关系.      

太阳周期活动对低高度内辐射带高能质子的影响

利用NOAA-15卫星1998年到2011年近13年的高能质子全向通量观测资料, 分析了一个太阳活动周内, 低高度内辐射带高能质子通量的分布变化特性及其物理原因, 比较了观测结果与AP8模型的不同. 研究表明, 低高度内辐射带高能质子通量与太阳活动水平的反相关关系与磁壳参数L值及磁场B值有关; L值越低, B值越大的空间点, 其高能质子通量与太阳活动水平的反向相关性越明显. 高能质子通量随太阳活动水平的变化存在明显滞后现象, L值越高、 B值越小的空间点, 滞后现象就越明显, 滞后严重时可以达到一年左右的时间; 这种滞后现象反映出低高度内辐射带高能质子的源与损失达到平衡是一个中长期过程. 通过与AP8模型计算结果的比较分析可以看出, 利用AP8模型时, 仅考虑地磁场长期变化对质子通量的影响可能会夸大低高度内辐射带局部高能质子通量的增强.      

“风云一号（B）”卫星探测到的太阳质子事件

我国“风云一号(B)”气象卫星于1990年9月3日发射入轨,该星载有粒子成分监测器,用来探测空间粒子辐射环境,其中包括测量太阳耀斑时产生的太阳质子事件及其重粒子丰度;银河宇宙线异常成分与强度;内辐射带磁异常区的粒子通量及重粒子成分,“风云一号(B)”卫星运行半年来,我们已获取了上述有关的粒子辐射资料,在卫星上获得这些资料在我国尚属首次,本文主要分析观测到的太阳质子事件。     

REM measurements aboard Mir during 1995

Measurements of the South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA) made with the Radiation Environment Monitor (REM) aboard Mir from November 1994 to February 1996 are presented. During this period an increase of the SAA radiation by ≈25% is observed, which coincides with a lowering of the radio solar flux. Radio solar flux is one of the parameters controlling the earth's atmospheric distribution and with it the absorption of inner radiation belt protons forming the SAA. Due to the altitude gradient of the atmospheric density, the proton fluxes in the SAA are anisotropic (loss cone, east-west effect). The measured distribution can be accounted for by basic models.     

An investigation of the spatial variations of the energetic trapped electrons at low altitudes

We have analyzed the trapped electron data (0.19–3.2 MeV) taken by the Japanese OHZORA satellite operated at 350–850 km altitude in polar orbit during 1984–1987 near solar minimum. The electron observations reveal all the global attributes of the quiet-time electron radiation belts, such as the South Atlantic Anomaly, the electron “slot”, and the outer radiation belt regions. The electron data are in general agreement with the NASA AE-8 electron model, but there are differences, particularly with respect to distinctive local-time variations in the slot region. In this paper, we present results from analyses of variations of the electron pitch angle distributions with local time, L-shell and altitude.     

Recent space shuttle observations of the South Atlantic Anomaly and the radiation belt models.

Active instruments consisting of a tissue equivalent proportional counter (TEPC) and a proton and heavy ion detector (PHIDE) have been carried on a number of Space Shuttle flights. These instruments have allowed us to map out parts of the South Atlantic Particle Anomaly (SAA) and to compare some of its features with predictions of the AP-8 energetic proton flux models. We have observed that consistent with the generally observed westward drift of the surface features of the terrestrial magnetic field the SAA has moved west by about 6.9 degrees longitude between the epoch year 1970 of the AP-8 solar maximum model and the Space Shuttle observations made twenty years later. However, calculations indicate that except for relatively brief periods following very large magnetic storms the SAA seems to occupy the same position in L-space as in 1970. After the great storm of 24 March 1991 reconfiguration of the inner radiation belt and/or proton injection into the inner belt, a second energetic proton belt was observed to form at L approximately = 2. As confirmed by a subsequent flight observations, this belt was shown to persist at least for six months. Our measurements also indicate an upward shift in the L location of the primary belt from L = 1.4 to L = 1.5. In addition we confirm through direct real time observations the existence and the approximate magnitude of the East-West effect.     

Characterization of the near Earth radiation environment by Liulin type spectrometers

Comprehensive study of the dose, flux and deposited energy spectra shape data obtained by Liulin type spectrometers on spacecraft (five different experiments) and aircraft since 2001 is performed with the aim of understanding how well these parameters can characterize the type of predominant particles and their energy in the near Earth radiation environment. Three different methods for characterisation of the incoming radiation from Liulin spectrometers are described. The results revealed that the most informative one is by the shape of the deposited energy spectra. Spectra generated by Galactic Cosmic Rays (GCR) protons and their secondaries are with linear falling shape in the coordinates deposited energy/deposited per channel dose rate. The position of the maximum of the deposited energy spectra inside the South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA) region depends on the incident energy of the incoming protons. Spectra generated by relativistic electrons in the outer radiation belt have a maximum in the first channels. For higher energy depositions these spectra are similar to the GCR spectra. Mixed radiation by protons and electrons and/or bremsstrahlung is characterized by spectra with 2 maxima. All type of spectra has a knee close to 6.2 MeV deposited energy, which correspond to the stopping energy of protons in the detector. Dose to flux ratio known also as specific dose is another high information parameter, which is given by experimentally obtained formulae [Heffner, J. Nuclear radiation and safety in space. M. Atomizdat. 115, 1971 (in Russian)] connecting the dose to flux ratio and the incident energy of the particles.     

Dynamics of the low altitude secondary proton radiation belt

At the interface between the upper atmosphere and the radiation belt region, there exists a secondary radiation belt consisting mainly of energetic ions that have become neutralized in the ring current and the main radiation belt and then re-ionized by collisions in the inner exosphere. The time history of the proton fluxes in the 0.64 – 35 MeV energy range was traced in the equatorial region beneath the main radiation belts during the three year period from 21 February 1984 to 26 March 1987 using data obtained with the HEP experiment on board the Japanese OHZORA satellite. During most of this period a fairly small proton flux of −1.2 cm⁻² s⁻¹ sr⁻¹ was detected on geomagnetic field lines in the range 1.05 < L < 1.15. We report a few surprisingly deep and rapid flux decreases (flux reduction by typically two orders of magnitude). These flux decreases were also long in duration (lasting up to three months). We also registered abrupt flux increases where the magnitude of the proton flux enhancements could reach three orders of magnitude with an enhancement duration of 1–3 days. Possible reasons for these unexpected phenomena are discussed.