A compact formula for the bounce-averaged magnetic drift velocity of trapped particles was derived by Roederer [Dynamics of Geomagnetically Trapped Radiation, Springer (1970)] for the case of curl-free flux tubes. It is shown in the present work that the formula is still valid for the more general case of non-zero electric current density and, hence, can be used for computations of particle drift motion in realistic model magnetospheres which include distributed currents with planar current sheets.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)327-331
Number of pages5
JournalPlanetary and Space Science
Volume41
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 1993

    Scopus subject areas

  • Geophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics

ID: 36233970