Iowa Planetterella
Iowa Planetterella
Iowa Planetterella
Aurora
Aurora
Aurora + Auroral Lobes
Aurora + Auroral Lobes
Auroral Lobes
Auroral Lobes
Ring Current
Ring Current
Planetterella
Photo Credits: https://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2019/nasa-s-van-allen-probes-begin-final-phase-of-exploration-in-earths-radiation-belts

 

Code Number: 5H30.25

Demo Title: Planetterella - Van Allen Radiation Belts

Condition: Excellent

Principle: Planetary Radiation Belts

Area of Study: Earth's Magnetic Field

Equipment: 

The Iowa Planetterella Unit.

Procedure:

Plug in the Iowa Planetterella unit and then turn on the power strip.  The vacuum pump should start and after a few seconds the Rasberry display panel will come alive.  Make sure the vacuum valve is closed when the vacuum pump starts.  If desired, you can inject Neon at this time by opening the valves on the Neon lecture bottle.  Open the folder labeled "Iowa Planetterella" on the display unit.  Then open the file labeled "Offline.py" and then hit the "Run/Play" button.  This wil bring up the display that has switches for the H.V. power supply, the Neon injection, the H.V. current, and the H.V. voltage.  Once these are set to the desired levels you can switch between the "Aurora", "Radiation Belt", and "Ring Current" settings.  

References:

  • Patrick O. Braden, "Van Allen Belt Demonstration", AJP, Vol. 31, #6, June 1963, p. 459.
  • James C. Thompson, "Magnetic Mirror Effect", AJP, Vol. 31, #5, May 1963, p. 397.
  • Ronald J. Allen, "A Demonstration of the Magnetic Mirror Effect", AJP, Vol. 30, #12, Dec. 1962, p. 867.
  • Richard Stone, "U.S. Military Tests Radiation Belt Cleanup in Space", Science, Vol. 367, #6473, Jan. 2020, p. 9.
  • Abigail Eisenstadt, "June 15, 1917: Death of Kristian Birkeland, King of the Northern Lights", APS New, Vol. 31, #6, June 2022, p. 2.
  • Don Wilkins, "Quenching the Dragon's Fire: Remediation of the Van Allen Belts", Ad Astra, 2024-4, Dec. 2024,  p. 51.
5H30.25 - Planetterella - Aurora to Auroral Lobes to Stellar Ring Current