Pioneer 10 Crosses the Asteroid Belt (Illustration)

Images

Monday, 04 December 2023

If spacecraft are to visit the outer Solar System, they must cross the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. The Pioneer mission was faced with the question of just how dangerous this asteroid belt would be to a spacecraft passing through it.

Image Credit: NASA

Planetary Positions

22.12.2024 at 09:56:09 UTC

Planet	Longitude
The Sun	01 Cap 02' 37"
The Moon	25 Vir 26' 60"
Mercury	09 Sag 21' 42"
Venus	17 Aqu 13' 14"
Mars	04 Leo 32' 10" R
Jupiter	14 Gem 19' 52" R
Saturn	13 Pis 51' 50"
Uranus	23 Tau 54' 03" R
Neptune	27 Pis 11' 30"
Pluto	00 Aqu 46' 45"

Solar Status

BZ Status:	5
Proton Density:	3.45
Proton Speed:	514.5 k/sec
KP Status:	2.33

Type	Dec 22	Dec 23	Dec 24
Active	20%	20%	30%
Minor	5%	5%	15%
Moderate	1%	1%	5%
Strong	1%	1%	1%
Kp Index Prediction
00-03UT	3.00	2.33	2.67
03-06UT	2.00	2.67	2.00
06-09UT	3.00	2.00	2.33
09-12UT	2.00	2.00	2.33
12-15UT	2.00	1.00	2.33
15-18UT	1.00	2.00	2.33
18-21UT	1.00	2.00	2.33
21-00UT	2.00	2.67	2.67
Solar Activity
Solar activity reached moderate levels. Region 3932 (S17E54, Ekc/beta) produced an impulsive M1.9 flare at 21/0038 UTC; the largest event of the period. Region 3927 (S08E25, Hsx/alpha) was split this period, with the lead spot maintaining the 3927 designation, and following intermediate and trailer spots being named new Region 3933 (S08E34, Dao/beta). Minor to moderate growth was observed in Regions 3928 (S14E34, Dai/beta), 3930 (S22W49, Cai/beta), 3932, and 3933.
Solar Wind
Solar wind parameters were mildly enhanced this period. Total field strength reached 9 nT and the Bz component varied between +/-8 nT. Solar wind speeds ranged between 450-560 km/s. Phi angle was predominantly oriented in the negative sector.
Energetic Particle
The greater than 10 MeV proton flux was elevated around 4 pfu, but remained below S1 (Minor) levels. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux was at normal to moderate levels. .Forecast... The greater than 10 MeV proton flux is expected to remain below S1 (Minor) levels over 22-24 Dec. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux is expected to continue at normal to moderate levels through 24 Dec.

Pioneer 10 Crosses the Asteroid Belt (Illustration)

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