Rapid Loss of Relativistic Electrons by EMIC Waves in the Outer Radiation Belt Observed by Arase, Van Allen Probes, and the PWING Ground Stations

S Kurita; Y Miyoshi; K Shiokawa; N Higashio; T Mitani; T Takashima; A Matsuoka; I Shinohara; C. A Kletzing; J. B Blake; S. G Claudepierre; M Connors; S Oyama; T Nagatsuma; K Sakaguchi; D Baishev; Y Otsuka

doi:10.1029/2018GL080262

Back

Rapid Loss of Relativistic Electrons by EMIC Waves in the Outer Radiation Belt Observed by Arase, Van Allen Probes, and the PWING Ground Stations

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Rapid Loss of Relativistic Electrons by EMIC Waves in the Outer Radiation Belt Observed by Arase, Van Allen Probes, and the PWING Ground Stations

S Kurita, Y Miyoshi, K Shiokawa, N Higashio, T Mitani, T Takashima, A Matsuoka, I Shinohara, C. A Kletzing, J. B Blake, …

Geophysical research letters, Vol.45(23), pp.12,720-12,729

12/16/2018

DOI: 10.1029/2018GL080262

Files and links (1)

url

https://doi.org/10.1029/2018GL080262View

Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

There has been increasing evidence for pitch angle scattering of relativistic electrons by electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves. Theoretical studies have predicted that the loss time scale of MeV electrons by EMIC waves can be very fast, suggesting that MeV electron fluxes rapidly decrease in association with the EMIC wave activity. This study reports on a unique event of MeV electron loss induced by EMIC waves based on Arase, Van Allen Probes, and ground‐based network observations. Arase observed a signature of MeV electron loss by EMIC waves, and the satellite and ground‐based observations constrained spatial‐temporal variations of the EMIC wave activity during the loss event. Multisatellite observation of MeV electron fluxes showed that ~2.5‐MeV electron fluxes substantially decreased within a few tens of minutes where the EMIC waves were present. The present study provides an observational estimate of the loss time scale of MeV electrons by EMIC waves. Plain Language Summary This paper shows an observational evidence that electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves cause rapid loss of high‐energy electrons in the Earth's radiation belt. The radiation belt contains highly energetic electrons with energies above 1 Mega‐electron volt (MeV), and the number of the electrons dramatically changes during geomagnetic storms. Radiation belt electron fluxes decrease orders of magnitude during the early stage of storms, and it is of interest to clarify mechanisms which are responsible for the loss of radiation belt electrons. EMIC waves are considered as an important driver of loss of radiation belt, and theoretical estimates suggest that radiation belt electrons are rapidly lost immediately after generation of EMIC waves. This paper gives observational support for the theoretical prediction using the satellite and ground‐based network observations. The Arase satellite and Van Allen Probes measure variations in radiation belt electrons. The excitation timing and spatial‐temporal evolution of EMIC waves are determined by using the worldwide ground‐based network measurements in concert with the Van Allen Probes and the Arase satellite. We demonstrate that ~2.5‐MeV electrons are lost within 10 min after the generation of the EMIC waves, which is much faster than that reported previous observational studies. Key Points The Arase satellite observed loss of MeV electrons in association with the activation of EMIC waves Spatial‐temporal variations of the EMIC wave activity are constrained by ground‐based and satellite observations Multi‐instrument observations show loss of ~2.5‐MeV electrons due to EMIC waves occurred within 10 min

EMIC waves

loss

PWING project

radiation belt

the Arase satellite

Van Allen Probes

Details

Title: Subtitle: Rapid Loss of Relativistic Electrons by EMIC Waves in the Outer Radiation Belt Observed by Arase, Van Allen Probes, and the PWING Ground Stations
Creators: S Kurita - Nagoya University
Y Miyoshi - Nagoya University
K Shiokawa - Nagoya University
N Higashio - Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
T Mitani - Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
T Takashima - Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
A Matsuoka - Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
I Shinohara - Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
C. A Kletzing - University of Iowa
J. B Blake - The Aerospace Corporation
S. G Claudepierre - The Aerospace Corporation
M Connors - Athabasca University
S Oyama - National Institute of Polar Research
T Nagatsuma - National Institute of Information and Communications Technology
K Sakaguchi - National Institute of Information and Communications Technology
D Baishev - Russian Academy of Sciences
Y Otsuka - Nagoya University
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Geophysical research letters, Vol.45(23), pp.12,720-12,729
DOI: 10.1029/2018GL080262
ISSN: 0094-8276
eISSN: 1944-8007
Number of pages: 10
Grant note: NASA (NAS5‐01072) Russian Foundation for Basic Research (18‐45‐140037) Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation JHU/APL (967399) JSPS (15H05815; 15H05747; 16H06286; 17H06140) Canada Foundation for Innovation Russian Academy of Sciences (AAAA‐A17‐117021450059‐3) ERG Science Center
Language: English
Date published: 12/16/2018
Academic Unit: Physics and Astronomy
Record Identifier: 9984199702302771

Metrics

6 Record Views

37 Times Cited - Web of Science