Cluster PEACE observations of electrons of spacecraft origin

Details Cluster PEACE observations of electrons of spacecraft origin Cluster PEACE observations of electrons of spacecraft origin

Oct 2001

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2001angeo..19.1721s&link_type=abstract

Annales Geophysicae, vol. 19, Issue 10, pp.1721-1730

Other

11

Scientific paper

The two PEACE (Plasma Electron And Current Experiment) sensors on board each Cluster spacecraft sample the electron velocity distribution across the full 4 solid angle and the energy range 0.7 eV to 26 keV with a time resolution of 4 s. We present high energy and angular resolution 3D observations of electrons of spacecraft origin in the various environments encountered by the Cluster constellation, including a lunar eclipse interval where the spacecraft potential was reduced but remained positive, and periods of ASPOC (Active Spacecraft POtential Control) operation which reduced the spacecraft potential. We demonstrate how the spacecraft potential may be found from a gradient change in the PEACE low energy spectrum, and show how the observed spacecraft electrons are confined by the spacecraft potential. We identify an intense component of the spacecraft electrons with energies equivalent to the spacecraft potential, the arrival direction of which is seen to change when ASPOC is switched on. Another spacecraft electron component, observed in the sunward direction, is reduced in the eclipse but unaffected by ASPOC, and we believe this component is produced in the analyser by solar UV. We find that PEACE anodes with a look direction along the spacecraft surfaces are more susceptible to spacecraft electron contamination than those which look perpendicular to the surface, which justifies the decision to mount PEACE with its field-of-view radially outward rather than tangentially.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Cluster PEACE observations of electrons of spacecraft origin does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Cluster PEACE observations of electrons of spacecraft origin, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Cluster PEACE observations of electrons of spacecraft origin will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1103206