Correlation of changes in the outer-zone relativistic-electron population with upstream solar wind and magnetic field measurements

J. B. Blake, D. N. Baker, N. Turner, K. W. Ogilvie, and R. P. Lepping

Space Sciences Department, The Aerospace Corporation, Los Angelos, California

Abstract:

A study has been made of the correlation of the population of relativistic electrons in the outer-zone magnetosphere with the properties of the solar wind (sped, density, magnetic field) during a solar minimum period. The study is based upon observations made in the Spring of 1995 with sensors aboard 1994-026 and WIND. It is found that a large relativistic electron enhancement depends upon a substantial solar-wind speed increase associated with precursor solar-wind density enhancement, and, in particular, upon a southward turning of the interplanetary magnetic field.

Geophys. Res. Lett., 24, 927-929, 1997