An instrument to measure anisotropies of cosmic ray electrons and protons for the explorer 34 satellite

Abstract

An instrument to measure the anisotropy and energy spectra of cosmic-ray electrons and protons, and X-rays of solar and galactic origin is described. Such instruments were launched on 24 May, 1967 and 21 June, 1969 as component parts of the scientific payloads of the Explorer 34 and 41 satellites. A general description and the main characteristics of the detectors are presented and the stability of the instrument on Explorer 34 over its 23 months of operation is discussed. The method of analysis of the obtained angular distribution of solar cosmic ray particles in the ecliptic plane is given. It is shown that the anisotropy of low energy particles of solar origin decreases sharply to a very small value when the satellite penetrates the magnetosphere.