TRAPPED proton fluxes at low earth orbits measured by the PAMELA experiment

• We report an accurate measurement of the geomagnetically trapped proton fluxes for kinetic energy above similar to 70 MeV performed by the PAMELA mission at low Earth orbits (350 divided by 610 km). Data were analyzed in the frame of the adiabatic theory of charged particle motion in the geomagnetic field. Flux properties were investigated in detail, providing a full characterization of the particle radiation in the South Atlantic Anomaly region, including locations, energy spectra, and pitch angle distributions. PAMELA results significantly improve the description of the Earth's radiation environment at low altitudes, placing important constraints on the trapping and interaction processes, and can be used to validate current trapped particle radiation models.

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Fysik -- Astronomi, astrofysik och kosmologi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Physical Sciences -- Astronomy, Astrophysics and Cosmology (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

astroparticle physics

atmospheric effects

cosmic rays

elementary particles

magnetic fields

space vehicles

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