TY - JOUR

T1 - Statistical Comparison of Electron Loss and Enhancement in the Outer Radiation Belt During Storms

AU - Walton, S. D.

AU - Forsyth, C.

AU - Rae, I. J.

AU - Meredith, N. P.

AU - Sandhu, J. K.

AU - Walach, M.‐T.

AU - Murphy, K. R.

PY - 2022/5/31

Y1 - 2022/5/31

N2 - Abstract: The near‐relativistic electron population in the outer Van Allen radiation belt is highly dynamic and strongly coupled to geomagnetic activity such as storms and substorms, which are driven by the interaction of the magnetosphere with the solar wind. The energy, content, and spatial extent of electrons in the outer radiation belt can vary on timescales of hours to days, dictated by the continuously evolving influence of acceleration and loss processes. While net changes in the electron population are directly observable, the relative influence of different processes is far from fully understood. Using a continuous 12 year data set from the Proton Electron Telescope on board the Solar Anomalous Magnetospheric Particle Explorer, we statistically compare the relative variations of trapped electrons to those in the bounce loss cone (BLC). Our results show that there is a proportional increase in flux entering the BLC outside the plasmapause during storm main phase and early recovery phase. Loss enhancement is sustained on the dawnside throughout the recovery phase while loss on the duskside is enhanced around minimum Sym‐H and quickly diminishes. Spatial variations are also examined in relation to geomagnetic activity, making comparisons to possible causal wave modes such as whistler‐mode chorus and plasmaspheric hiss.

AB - Abstract: The near‐relativistic electron population in the outer Van Allen radiation belt is highly dynamic and strongly coupled to geomagnetic activity such as storms and substorms, which are driven by the interaction of the magnetosphere with the solar wind. The energy, content, and spatial extent of electrons in the outer radiation belt can vary on timescales of hours to days, dictated by the continuously evolving influence of acceleration and loss processes. While net changes in the electron population are directly observable, the relative influence of different processes is far from fully understood. Using a continuous 12 year data set from the Proton Electron Telescope on board the Solar Anomalous Magnetospheric Particle Explorer, we statistically compare the relative variations of trapped electrons to those in the bounce loss cone (BLC). Our results show that there is a proportional increase in flux entering the BLC outside the plasmapause during storm main phase and early recovery phase. Loss enhancement is sustained on the dawnside throughout the recovery phase while loss on the duskside is enhanced around minimum Sym‐H and quickly diminishes. Spatial variations are also examined in relation to geomagnetic activity, making comparisons to possible causal wave modes such as whistler‐mode chorus and plasmaspheric hiss.

KW - Magnetospheric Physics

KW - INTERPLANETARY PHYSICS

KW - Coronal mass ejections

KW - MAGNETOSPHERIC PHYSICS

KW - Energetic particles: precipitating

KW - Energetic particles: trapped

KW - Plasmasphere

KW - Radiation belts

KW - Magnetic storms and substorms

KW - NATURAL HAZARDS

KW - Space weather

KW - SOLAR PHYSICS, ASTROPHYSICS, AND ASTRONOMY

KW - SPACE WEATHER

KW - Magnetic storms

KW - Research Article

KW - radiation belts

KW - geomagnetic storms

KW - magnetospheric waves

U2 - 10.1029/2021ja030069

DO - 10.1029/2021ja030069

M3 - Journal article

VL - 127

JO - Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics

JF - Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics

SN - 2169-9402

IS - 5

M1 - e2021JA030069

ER -