P. Spillantini

PAMELA's measurements of geomagnetic cutoff variations during the 14 December 2006 storm

Data from the Payload for Antimatter Matter Exploration and Light-nuclei Astrophysics (PAMELA) satellite experiment were used to measure the geomagnetic cutoff for high-energy ( 80MeV) protons during the 14 December 2006 geomagnetic storm. The variations of the cutoff latitude as a function of rigidity were studied on relatively short timescales, corresponding to spacecraft orbital periods (approximate to 94 min). Estimated cutoff values were compared with those obtained by means of a trajectory-tracing approach based on a dynamical empirical modeling of the Earths magnetosphere. We found significant variations in the cutoff latitude, with a maximum suppression of approximate to 7 degrees at lowest rigidities during the main phase of the storm. The observed reduction in the geomagnetic shielding and its temporal evolution were related to the changes in the magnetospheric configuration, investigating the role of interplanetary magnetic field, solar wind, and geomagnetic parameters. PAMELAs results represent the first direct measurement of geomagnetic cutoffs for protons with kinetic energies in the sub-GeV and GeV region.

Geomagnetically trapped, albedo and solar energetic particles: Trajectory analysis and flux reconstruction with PAMELA

The PAMELA satellite experiment is providing comprehensive observations of the interplanetary and magnetospheric radiation in the near-Earth environment. Thanks to its identification capabilities and the semi-polar orbit, PAMELA is able to precisely measure the energetic spectra and the angular distributions of the different cosmic-ray populations over a wide latitude region, including geomagnetically trapped and albedo particles. Its observations comprise the solar energetic particle events between solar cycles 23 and 24, and the geomagnetic cutoff variations during magnetospheric storms. PAMELA’s measurements are supported by an accurate analysis of particle trajectories in the Earth’s magnetosphere based on a realistic geomagnetic field modeling, which allows the classification of particle populations of different origin and the investigation of the asymptotic directions of arrival.

Unexpected Cyclic Behavior in Cosmic-Ray Protons Observed by PAMELA at 1 au

Protons detected by the PAMELA experiment in the period 2006-2014 have been analyzed in the energy range between 0.40-50 GV to explore possible periodicities besides the well known solar undecennial modulation. An unexpected clear and regular feature has been found at rigidities below 15 GV, with a quasi-periodicity of

Solar Energetic Particle Events Observed by the PAMELA Mission

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Secondary positrons and electrons in near-Earth space in the PAMELA experiment

450 days. A possible Jovian origin of this periodicity has been investigated in different ways. The results seem to favor a small but not negligible contribution to cosmic rays from the Jovian magnetosphere, even if other explanations cannot be excluded.

Cosmic ray electron and positron spectra measured with PAMELA

Despite the significant progress achieved in recent years, the physical mechanisms underlying the origin of solar energetic particles (SEPs) are still a matter of debate. The complex nature of both ...

Lithium and Beryllium Isotopes with the PAMELA Experiment

Fluxes of electrons and positrons with energies above ~100 MeV in the near-Earth space are measured with the PAMELA magnetic spectrometer aboard the Resurs DK-1 satellite launched on June 15, 2006, into a quasipolar orbit with an altitude of 350–600 km and an inclination of 70°. Calculating the trajectories of detected electrons and positrons in the magnetosphere of the Earth allows us to determine their origin and isolate particles produced during interaction between cosmic rays and the residual atmosphere. Spatial distributions of albedo, quasitrapped, and trapped (in the radiation belt) positrons and electrons are presented. The ratio of positron and electron fluxes suggests that the fluxes of trapped particles of the radiation belt and quasitrapped secondary particles have different mechanisms of formation.

Trapped Positrons and Electrons in the Inner Radiation Belt According to Data of the PAMELA Experiment

The PAMELA experiment is carried out on board of the satellite Resurs DK1 launched on June 15th 2006 on polar orbit (the inclination is 70, the altitude is 350-600 km). The instrument which consists of magnetic spectrometer, silicon-tungsten imaging electromagnetic calorimeter gives a possibility to measure electron and positron fluxes over wide energy range from hundreds MeVs to hundreds GeVs. Measurements made in June 2006- January 2010 are presented and compared with other results and models. Positron spectrum appears to be harder than standard diffusive propagation models predict.

Time dependence of the proton and helium flux measured by PAMELA

The cosmic-ray lithium and beryllium (

Solar modulation of cosmic deuteron fluxes in the PAMELA experiment

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