Lower-Energy Electrons Can Fill Empty Regions between 2 Belts (IMAGE)

NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center

Lower-Energy Electrons Can Fill Empty Regions between 2 Belts

Caption

During geomagnetic storms, the empty region between the two belts can fill in completely with lower-energy electrons. Traditionally, scientists thought this slot region filled in only during the most extreme geomagnetic storms happening about once every 10 years. However, new data shows it's not uncommon for lower-energy electrons -- up to 0.8 MeV -- to fill this space during almost all geomagnetic storms.

Credit

Credits: NASA Goddard/Duberstein

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