Fifth-Power Altitude Dependence of Particle Precipitation at The Minimum Geomagnetic Field Position

Abstract

The fifth power altitude dependence of magnetospheric particle precipitation near the geomagnetic equator in the altitude range of 160 to 300 km during moderate geomagnetic conditions has been explained. In the atmosphere, the observed altitude dependence of proton flux can be due to a number of factors such as (i) source attenuation, (ii) charge exchange loss of protons, (iii) proton loss due to atmospheric ionization, and (iv) proton loss due to pitch angle diffusion in the loss cone. Each of these causes has been discussed to estimate the importance in the explanation of the observed proton flux variation with altitude