Highly relativistic radiation belt electron acceleration, transport, and loss: Large solar storm events of March and June 2015

D. N Baker; A. N Jaynes; S. G Kanekal; J. C Foster; P. J Erickson; J. F Fennell; J. B Blake; H Zhao; X Li; S. R Elkington; M. G Henderson; G. D Reeves; H. E Spence; C. A Kletzing; J. R Wygant

doi:10.1002/2016JA022502

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Highly relativistic radiation belt electron acceleration, transport, and loss: Large solar storm events of March and June 2015

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Highly relativistic radiation belt electron acceleration, transport, and loss: Large solar storm events of March and June 2015

D. N Baker, A. N Jaynes, S. G Kanekal, J. C Foster, P. J Erickson, J. F Fennell, J. B Blake, H Zhao, X Li, S. R Elkington, …

Journal of geophysical research. Space physics, Vol.121(7), pp.6647-6660

07/2016

DOI: 10.1002/2016JA022502

PMCID: PMC5101849

PMID: 27867796

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Abstract

Two of the largest geomagnetic storms of the last decade were witnessed in 2015. On 17 March 2015, a coronal mass ejection‐driven event occurred with a Dst (storm time ring current index) value reaching −223 nT. On 22 June 2015 another strong storm ( Dst reaching −204 nT) was recorded. These two storms each produced almost total loss of radiation belt high‐energy ( E ≳ 1 MeV) electron fluxes. Following the dropouts of radiation belt fluxes there were complex and rather remarkable recoveries of the electrons extending up to nearly 10 MeV in kinetic energy. The energized outer zone electrons showed a rich variety of pitch angle features including strong “butterfly” distributions with deep minima in flux at α = 90°. However, despite strong driving of outer zone earthward radial diffusion in these storms, the previously reported “impenetrable barrier” at L ≈ 2.8 was pushed inward, but not significantly breached, and no E ≳ 2.0 MeV electrons were seen to pass through the radiation belt slot region to reach the inner Van Allen zone. Overall, these intense storms show a wealth of novel features of acceleration, transport, and loss that are demonstrated in the present detailed analysis. March and June 2015 storms offer insight into ultrarelativistic electron dynamics Impenetrable barrier can be pushed inward, still isolates high‐E electrons from inner zone Multi‐MeV electrons take 1‐2 days to appear following these strong driving events.

Big Storms of the Van Allen Probes Era

electron acceleration

Inner

Magnetic Storms

Magnetic Storms and Substorms

Magnetosphere

Magnetosphere Interactions

Magnetospheric Physics

Natural Hazards

Radiation Belts

Solar Wind

Space Weather

Details

Title: Subtitle: Highly relativistic radiation belt electron acceleration, transport, and loss: Large solar storm events of March and June 2015
Creators: D. N Baker - University of Colorado Boulder
A. N Jaynes - University of Colorado Boulder
S. G Kanekal - Goddard Space Flight Center
J. C Foster - Massachusetts Institute of Technology
P. J Erickson - Massachusetts Institute of Technology
J. F Fennell - The Aerospace Corporation
J. B Blake - The Aerospace Corporation
H Zhao - University of Colorado Boulder
X Li - University of Colorado Boulder
S. R Elkington - University of Colorado Boulder
M. G Henderson - Los Alamos National Laboratory
G. D Reeves - Los Alamos National Laboratory
H. E Spence - University of New Hampshire
C. A Kletzing - University of Iowa
J. R Wygant - University of Minnesota
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Journal of geophysical research. Space physics, Vol.121(7), pp.6647-6660
DOI: 10.1002/2016JA022502
PMID: 27867796
PMCID: PMC5101849
NLM abbreviation: J Geophys Res Space Phys
ISSN: 2169-9380
eISSN: 2169-9402
Publisher: John Wiley and Sons Inc
Grant note: NAS5‐01072 / NASA 967399 / JHU/APL
Alternative title: HIGHLY RELATIVISTIC ELECTRON DYNAMICS
Language: English
Date published: 07/2016
Academic Unit: Physics and Astronomy; University College Courses
Record Identifier: 9984199817902771

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