Reanalysis of radiation belt electron phase space density using various boundary conditions and loss models

Data assimilation is becoming an increasingly important tool for understanding the near Earth hazardous radiation environments. Reanalysis of the radiation belts can be used to identify the electron acceleration mechanism and distinguish local acceleration from radial diffusion. However, for any practical applications we need to determine how reliable is reanalysis, and how significant is the dependence of the results on the assumptions of the code and choice of boundary conditions. We present the sensitivity of reanalysis of the radiation belt electron phase space density (PSD) to the assumed location of the outer boundary, using the VERB code and a Kalman filter. We analyze the sensitivity of reanalysis to changes in the electron-loss throughout the domain, and the sensitivity to the assumed boundary condition and its effect on the innovation vector. All the simulations presented in this study for all assumed loss models and boundary conditions, show that peaks in the phase space density of relativistic electrons build up between 4.5 and 6 R_E during relativistic electron flux enhancements in the outer radiation belt. This clearly shows that peaks build up in the heart of the electron radiation belt independent of the assumptions in the model, and that local acceleration is operating there. The work here is also an important step toward performing reanalysis using observations from current and future missions.     

The links between atmospheric vorticity,radiation belt electrons,and the solar wind

The links between winter storm intensity and solar wind variations associated with Heliospheric Current Sheet (HCS) crossings are shown to be present in 1997 through 2002 data without the necessity of high stratospheric aerosol loading.     

Solar sail near the Sun: Point-like and extended models of radiation source

Some modifications of solar sail radiation pressure forces on a plate and on a sphere for use in the numerical simulation of ‘local-optimal’ (or ‘instantaneously optimal’) trajectories of a spacecraft with a solar sail are suggested. The force model development is chronologically reviewed, including its connection with solar sail surface reflective and thermal properties. The sail surface is considered as partly absorbing, partly reflective (specular and diffuse), partly transparent. Thermal balance is specified because the spacecraft moves from circular Earth orbit to near-Sun regions and thermal limitations on the sail film are taken into account. A spherical sail-balloon can be used in near-Sun regions for scientific research beginning with the solar-synchronous orbit and moving outward from the Sun. The Sun is considered not only as a point-like source of radiation but also as an extended source of radiation which is assumed to be consequently as a point-like source of radiation, a uniformly bright flat solar disc and uniformly bright solar sphere.     

Space radiation environment in low earth orbit during influences from solar and geomagnetic events in December 2006

In low earth orbit, the SAA region is the dominant contributor to both proton environment and electron environment from the standpoint of radiation dose for spacecraft lifetime. However, the polar region and the horn region are sometimes strongly disturbed due to large solar and geomagnetic events. During large disturbances, enhancements in proton flux are measured in the polar region, which gives temporary more severe space radiation environment than that given in the SAA region. On the other hand, enhancements in electron flux are measured mainly in the horn region corresponding to the outer radiation belt, which are likely sources of high-energy electrons in the inner radiation belt. These short-term disturbances have another radiation hazard to spacecraft such as single event and electrostatic discharge.     

结合光球磁场特征物理量的质子事件短期预报

利用描述太阳活动区光球磁场复杂性和非势性特征的三个物理量(纵向磁场最大水平梯度|▽_hB_z |_m, 强梯度中性线长度L, 孤立奇点数目η)建立了质子事件短期预报模型, 验证了磁场特征物理量对质子事件短期预报的有效性. 目前已建立或使用的太阳质子事件短期预报模型中仍然没有正式将磁场特征物理量作为预报因子. 由于太阳质子事件是小概率事件, 其物理产生机制尚不完全清楚, 这些预报模型往往存在虚报率偏高或报准率偏低的问题. 本文试图将原有质子事件模型所用的传统因子与磁场特征物理量结合起来, 利用神经网络方法建立一个更为有效的质子事件短期预报模型. 利用1997--2001年的训练数据集1871个样本建立了输入层为传统预报因子的模型A以及输入层为传统预报因子和磁场特征物理量的模型B. 通过对2002--2003年973个样本的测试数据集进行模拟预报发现, 模型A与B在具有相同质子事件报准率的情况下, 模型B的虚报率明显降低. 这进一步验证了磁场特征物理量在质子事件短期预报中的作用, 进而可以加强对太阳质子事件的实际预报能力.