Space Climate 7 Meeting Abstract
Analysis of the radiation environment in the magnetosphere slot region after space weather events for the 23rd solar cycle.
Lidia Nikitina (Natural Resources Canada)
Larisa Trichtchenko Natural Resources Canada
The slot region between the radiation belts in the magnetosphere is considered to be stable and safe for satellite missions, but strong space weather events can cause an enhancement of electron flux in the slot. The analyses of the electron radiation environment in the slot region was made for 11 years period, based on the data provided by HEO-3 mission. To figure out space weather conditions, which causes the enhancement of electron fluxes, the analysis of all the ‘slot events’ during 23rd solar cycle was made together with geomagnetic activity based on Kp, Dst , and hourly range indices. The geomagnetic observatories were selected based on the geomagnetic coordinates, provided that the L-values are close to the position of the slot region. Frequency of occurrence of a slot event in three energy channels E > 0.63 MeV, E > 1.5 MeV, E > 3 MeV as well as its intensity (maximum of the electron flux in the slot) was determined for different levels of geomagnetic activity. This study aims to evaluate the variability of the electron flux in the magnetosphere and can be further developed for use in estimation of space environment conditions for space missions.