The solar minimum of 2009 has been identified as an exceptional event with regard to
cosmic ray (CR)modulation, since conditions in the heliosphere have reached unprecedented
quiet levels. This unique minimum has been observed by the Earth–orbiting
satellite, PAMELA, launched in June, 2006, from which vast sets of accurate proton
and electron preliminary observations have been made available. These simultaneous
measurements from PAMELA provide the ideal opportunity to conduct an in–depth
study of CR modulation, in particular charge–sign dependent modulation. In utilizing
this opportunity, a three–dimensional, steady–state modulation model was used to reproduce
a selection of consecutive PAMELA proton and electron spectra from 2006 to
2009. Thiswas done by assuming full drifts and simplified diffusion coefficients, where
the rigidity dependence and absolute value of themean free paths for protons and electrons
were sequentially adjusted below 3 GV and 300 MV, respectively. Care has
been taken in calculating yearly–averaged current–sheet tilt angle and magnetic field
values that correspond to the PAMELA spectra. Following this study where the numerical
model was used to investigate the individual effects resulting from changes in
the tilt angle, diffusion coefficients, and global drifts, it was found that all these modulation
processes played significant roles in contributing to the total increase in CR
intensities from 2006 to 2009, as was observed by PAMELA. Furthermore, the effect
that drifts has on oppositely charged particles was also evident from the difference
between the peak–shaped time profiles of protons and the flatter time profiles of electrons,
as is expected for an A < 0 polarity cycle. Since protons, which drift into the
heliosphere along the heliospheric current–sheet, haven’t yet reached maximum intensity
levels by 2008, their intensities increased notably more than electrons toward the
end of 2009. The time and energy dependence of the electron to proton ratios were
also studied in order to further illustrate and quantify the effect of drifts during this
remarkable solar minimum period. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Physics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:nwu/oai:dspace.nwu.ac.za:10394/7266 |
| Date | January 2011 |
| Creators | Vos, Etienne Eben |
| Publisher | North-West University |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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