A Multi-Instrument Approach to Determining the Source-Region Extent of EEP-Driving EMIC Waves

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Abstract
Abstract Recent years have seen debate regarding the ability of electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves to drive EEP (energetic electron precipitation) into the Earth s atmosphere. Questions still remain regarding the energies and rates at which these waves are able to interact with electrons. Many studies have attempted to characterize these interactions using simulations; however, these are limited by a lack of precise information regarding the spatial scale size of EMIC activity regions. In this study we examine a fortuitous simultaneous observation of EMIC wave activity by the RBSP-B and Arase satellites in conjunction with ground-based observations of EEP by a subionospheric VLF network. We describe a simple method for determining the longitudinal extent of the EMIC source region based on these observations, calculating a width of 0.75 hr MLT and a drift rate of 0.67 MLT/hr. We describe how this may be applied to other similar EMIC wave events.
Year of Publication
2020
Journal
Geophysical Research Letters
Volume
47
Date Published
03/2020
URL
https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1029/2019GL086599
DOI
10.1029/2019GL086599
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