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@article{Acevski:2024:10.1029/2024GL112281,
author = {Acevski, M and Masters, A},
doi = {10.1029/2024GL112281},
journal = {Geophysical Research Letters},
title = {Enhanced precipitation of energetic protons due to Uranus' asymmetric magnetic field},
url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2024GL112281},
volume = {51},
year = {2024}
}
TY - JOUR
AB - Uranus remains one of the most unexplored planets in our solar system, featuring a distinctive magnetic field structure first observed by NASA's Voyager 2 mission almost 40 years ago. Uranus is particularly notable for its pronounced magnetic field asymmetry, a characteristic unique to the icy giants. Here we show that, in the region where Voyager 2 did not pass (< 4 Ru), the asymmetric magnetic field can distort the trajectories of high energy protons within Uranus' radiation belts such that the particles hit the planet when they otherwise would not have (in a traditional dipole field). This implies that radiation belt protons which start with pitch angles well outside their respective loss cones can drift into a region where the loss cone is much bigger and then precipitate. This occurs preferentially in the magnetic north pole due to its significantly weaker surface field strength.
AU - Acevski,M
AU - Masters,A
DO - 10.1029/2024GL112281
PY - 2024///
SN - 0094-8276
TI - Enhanced precipitation of energetic protons due to Uranus' asymmetric magnetic field
T2 - Geophysical Research Letters
UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2024GL112281
UR - https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2024GL112281
VL - 51
ER -