Journal article
Outer radiation belt dropout dynamics following the arrival of two interplanetary coronal mass ejections
Geophysical research letters, Vol.43(3), pp.978-987
02/16/2016
DOI: 10.1002/2015GL067066
Abstract
Magnetopause shadowing and wave‐particle interactions are recognized as the two primary mechanisms for losses of electrons from the outer radiation belt. We investigate these mechanisms, using satellite observations both in interplanetary space and within the magnetosphere and particle drift modeling. Two interplanetary shocks/sheaths impinged upon the magnetopause causing a relativistic electron flux dropout. The magnetic cloud (MC) and interplanetary structure sunward of the MC had primarily northward magnetic field, perhaps leading to a concomitant lack of substorm activity and a 10 daylong quiescent period. The arrival of two shocks caused an unusual electron flux dropout. Test‐particle simulations have shown ∼ 2 to 5 MeV energy, equatorially mirroring electrons with initial values of L≥5.5 can be lost to the magnetosheath via magnetopause shadowing alone. For electron losses at lower L‐shells, coherent chorus wave‐driven pitch angle scattering and ULF wave‐driven radial transport have been shown to be viable mechanisms.
Key Points
Unusual relativistic electron flux dropout with no concurrent repopulation
Magnetopause shadowing can cause electron losses at or above L 5.5
Coherent chorus wave‐driven pitch angle scattering can cause losses at L 5.5
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Outer radiation belt dropout dynamics following the arrival of two interplanetary coronal mass ejections
- Creators
- L. R Alves - National Institute for Space ResearchD. N Baker - University of Colorado BoulderC. A Kletzing - University of IowaL. A Da Silva - National Institute for Space ResearchV. M Souza - National Institute for Space ResearchD. G Sibeck - Goddard Space Flight CenterP. R Jauer - National Institute for Space ResearchL. E. A Vieira - National Institute for Space ResearchB. M Walsh - University of California, BerkeleyM. V. D Silveira - Goddard Space Flight CenterJ. P Marchezi - National Institute for Space ResearchM Rockenbach - National Institute for Space ResearchA Dal Lago - National Institute for Space ResearchO Mendes - National Institute for Space ResearchB. T Tsurutani - California Institute of TechnologyD Koga - National Institute for Space ResearchS. G Kanekal - Goddard Space Flight CenterJ. R Wygant - University of Minnesota
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Geophysical research letters, Vol.43(3), pp.978-987
- DOI
- 10.1002/2015GL067066
- ISSN
- 0094-8276
- eISSN
- 1944-8007
- Number of pages
- 10
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 02/16/2016
- Academic Unit
- Physics and Astronomy
- Record Identifier
- 9984199766102771
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