Prompt energization of relativistic and highly relativistic electrons during a substorm interval: Van Allen Probes observations

J. C Foster; P. J Erickson; D. N Baker; S. G Claudepierre; C. A Kletzing; W Kurth; G. D Reeves; S. A Thaller; H. E Spence; Y. Y Shprits; J. R Wygant

doi:10.1002/2013GL058438

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Prompt energization of relativistic and highly relativistic electrons during a substorm interval: Van Allen Probes observations

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Prompt energization of relativistic and highly relativistic electrons during a substorm interval: Van Allen Probes observations

J. C Foster, P. J Erickson, D. N Baker, S. G Claudepierre, C. A Kletzing, W Kurth, G. D Reeves, S. A Thaller, H. E Spence, Y. Y Shprits, …

Geophysical research letters, Vol.41(1), pp.20-25

01/16/2014

DOI: 10.1002/2013GL058438

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Abstract

On 17 March 2013, a large magnetic storm significantly depleted the multi‐MeV radiation belt. We present multi‐instrument observations from the Van Allen Probes spacecraft Radiation Belt Storm Probe A and Radiation Belt Storm Probe B at ~6 Re in the midnight sector magnetosphere and from ground‐based ionospheric sensors during a substorm dipolarization followed by rapid reenergization of multi‐MeV electrons. A 50% increase in magnetic field magnitude occurred simultaneously with dramatic increases in 100 keV electron fluxes and a 100 times increase in VLF wave intensity. The 100 keV electrons and intense VLF waves provide a seed population and energy source for subsequent radiation belt enhancements. Highly relativistic (>2 MeV) electron fluxes increased immediately at L* ~ 4.5 and 4.5 MeV flux increased >90 times at L* = 4 over 5 h. Although plasmasphere expansion brings the enhanced radiation belt multi‐MeV fluxes inside the plasmasphere several hours postsubstorm, we localize their prompt reenergization during the event to regions outside the plasmasphere. Key Points Substorm dynamics are important for highly relativistic electron energization Cold plasma preconditioning is significant for rapid relativistic energization Relativistic / highly relativistic electron energization can occur in < 5 hrs

Prompt Energizations

Radiation Belts

Relativistic Electrons

Substorm

Details

Title: Subtitle: Prompt energization of relativistic and highly relativistic electrons during a substorm interval: Van Allen Probes observations
Creators: J. C Foster - Massachusetts Institute of Technology
P. J Erickson - Massachusetts Institute of Technology
D. N Baker - University of Colorado Boulder
S. G Claudepierre - The Aerospace Corporation
C. A Kletzing - University of Iowa
W Kurth - University of Iowa
G. D Reeves - Los Alamos National Laboratory
S. A Thaller - University of Minnesota
H. E Spence - University of New Hampshire
Y. Y Shprits - University of California, Los Angeles
J. R Wygant - University of Minnesota
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Geophysical research letters, Vol.41(1), pp.20-25
DOI: 10.1002/2013GL058438
ISSN: 0094-8276
eISSN: 1944-8007
Number of pages: 6
Language: English
Date published: 01/16/2014
Academic Unit: Physics and Astronomy
Record Identifier: 9984199854202771

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