Background on a low Earth orbit

Macros to compute and visualize the background for a satellite on a Low Earth Orbit (LEO). The model used here and results using these macros are presented in:

P. Cumani, M. Hernanz, J. Kiener, V. Tatischeff, and A. Zoglauer. "Background for a gamma-ray satellite on a low-Earth orbit". Feb 2019. arXiv:1902.06944, doi:10.1007/s10686-019-09624-0.

Please use this reference if you present any result obtain using these classes.

Table of Contents

Packages
Description
Bibliography
Validity limits

Packages

The macros are written for Python3. It uses the following packages:

Numpy
Astropy
Scipy
Matplotlib
Pandas

Description

LEOBackgroundGenerator.py : contain the definition of the class describing all the background components.
LATBackground.py : creates the file Data/LATBackground.dat from the Fermi fits file. It needs to be used only if there is a change in the Fermi-LAT background or a change in the areas where the flux is calculated (lines 24-26).
BackgroundPlotter_All.py : plots all the different components. To be run with a -h (or --help) option to show a help.
CreateBackgroundSpectrumMEGAlib.py : creates a file describing the spectrum of different components to be used with MEGAlib to define a source. The value of the integral flux, calculated using the appropriate solid angle and to be added to the .source file, is added as a comment inside the newly created file. To be run with a -h (or --help) option to show a help.

Bibliography

The model uses equations/data from:

Albedo Neutrons:
- Kole et al. 2015
  doi:10.1016/j.astropartphys.2014.10.002
- Lingenfelter 1963
  doi:10.1029/JZ068i020p05633
Cosmic Photons:
- Türler et al. 2010
  doi:10.1051/0004-6361/200913072
- Mizuno et al. 2004
  http://stacks.iop.org/0004-637X/614/i=2/a=1113
- Ackermann et al. 2015
  doi:10.1088/0004-637X/799/1/86
Galactic Center/Disk:
- Fermi-LAT collaboration
  https://fermi.gsfc.nasa.gov/ssc/data/analysis/software/aux/gll_iem_v06.fits
Primary Protons:
- Aguilar et al. 2015
  doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.114.171103
Secondary Protons:
- Mizuno et al. 2004
  http://stacks.iop.org/0004-637X/614/i=2/a=1113
Primary Alphas:
- Aguilar et al. 2015b
  doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.115.211101
Primary Electrons:
- Aguilar et al. 2014
  doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.113.121102
- Mizuno et al. 2004
  http://stacks.iop.org/0004-637X/614/i=2/a=1113
Primary Positrons:
- Aguilar et al. 2014
  doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.113.121102
- Mizuno et al. 2004
  http://stacks.iop.org/0004-637X/614/i=2/a=1113
Secondary Electrons:
- Mizuno et al. 2004
  http://stacks.iop.org/0004-637X/614/i=2/a=1113
Secondary Positrons:
- Mizuno et al. 2004
  http://stacks.iop.org/0004-637X/614/i=2/a=1113
Atmospheric Photons:
- Sazonov et al. 2007
  doi:10.1111/j.1365-2966.2007.11746.x
- Churazov et al. 2006
  doi:10.1111/j.1365-2966.2008.12918.x
- Türler et al. 2010
  doi:10.1051/0004-6361/200913072
- Mizuno et al. 2004
  http://stacks.iop.org/0004-637X/614/i=2/a=1113
- Abdo et al. 2009
  doi:10.1103/PhysRevD.80.122004

Validity limits

	Orbit Parameters	Energy
Cosmic Photons	Independent	4 keV - 820 GeV
Galactic Photons	Independent	58 MeV - ~513 GeV
Albedo Photons	All LEOs	1 keV - 400 GeV
Primary Protons	Altitude > 100 km	10 MeV - 10 TeV
Primary Alphas	Altitude > 100 km	10 MeV - 10 TeV
Primary Electrons/Positrons	Altitude > 100 km	570 MeV - 429 GeV
Secondary Protons	1.06 ≤ R_cutoff ≤ 12.47	1 MeV - 10 GeV
Secondary Electrons/Positrons	1.06 ≤ R_cutoff ≤ 12.47	1 MeV - 20 GeV
Atmospheric Neutrons	Altitude: ~100 km - ~1000 km / Inclination: < 65°	0.01 eV - ~30 GeV

Validity limits of the different components of the background.

Acknowledgment