Initial Explorer 45 substorm observations and electric field considerations

Abstract

Description of initial Explorer 45 substorm observations of particle distributions near the equator at altitudes from 5 to 5.5 earth radii. These initial results pertain to the evening sector and to a substorm occurring on Dec. 12, 1971. Fluxes, spectra, and energy densities are presented for 1- to 300-keV protons and 1.5- to 560-keV electrons. Arrival time dispersion effects are shown for electrons. These data are compared with the plasma cloud concepts and electric field model used by DeForest and McIlwain (1971) and McIlwain (1972) to explain particle observations at geosynchronous orbit.