[Rastoin 1995 a]

Modulation recovery of high energy electrons: ULYSSES observations.

C. Rastoin, R. Ducros, P. Ferrando, A. Raviart, C. Paizis, H. Kunow and B. Heber.
Modulation recovery of high energy electrons: ULYSSES observations.
Advances in Space Research 16, (9)255-(9)260. 1995


Contents

The ULYSSES spacecraft, launched in October 1990 near solar maximum, continues its investigation journey toward the southern polar pass during the decaying phase of solar cycle 22. One of the primary aims of its mission, namely the study of the cosmic ray solar modulation in the three-dimensional heliosphere, has really started when exploring high latitudes. In particular, time variations of the cosmic ray electron intensity and spectrum constitute a crucial test for any modulation theory.

We present hereafter the observations of the COSPIN/KET Experiment and we focus on the electron observations above 300 MeV, from launch to mid June 1994, when Ulysses came close to 70° S. The recovery rates of the Galactic electron flux are studied with reference to that of protons and alphas simultaneously measured by Kiel Electron Telescope (KET) above 380 MV/c. The modulation recovery shows step-like features and the rigidity dependence of the recovery rate is reported with no evidence of charge-dependent effects. During the whole observation time, the relative modulation amplitude of the Galactic electrons peaks between 0.5 and 2.0 GeV.


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