Bibliography
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Found 882 entries in the Bibliography.
Showing entries from 151 through 200
| 2020 |
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Whistler mode waves observed in the Earth s inner magnetosphere at frequencies between about 0.5 and 4 kHz which exhibit a nearly periodic time modulation of the wave intensity are called quasiperiodic (QP) emissions. Conjugate measurements of QP events at several different locations can be used to estimate their spatial extent and spatiotemporal variability. Results obtained using conjugate QP measurements provided by the ground-based station Kannuslehto (L≈5.5) and the Van Allen Probes spacecraft (L shells between about 1.1 and 6.5) between September 2012 and November 2017 are presented. Altogether, 26 simultaneously detected events were analyzed. The event modulation periods and frequency-time structures were generally the same at all observation points. Spatial separations of the spacecraft and the ground-based station during conjugate observations are typically within about 40° in azimuth and from about 1 to 3 in L shell. RBSP consistently observes events at lower L shells than Kannuslehto, with the event occurrence primarily inside of the plasmasphere. Ratios of Poynting fluxes observed by the spacecraft and on the ground are used to evaluate event intensity variations related to the spacecraft position. It is found that the intensity decreases considerably both at low L shells and outside of the plasmasphere. Finally, an event containing a gap in its frequency-time structure related to a sudden change of its properties is analyzed in detail. Bezděková, B.; Němec, F.; Manninen, J.; Hospodarsky, G.; Santolik, O.; Kurth, W.; Hartley, D.; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 05/2020 YEAR: 2020 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2020JA027793 |
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Solar Energetic Proton Access to the Near-Equatorial Inner Magnetosphere In this study we examine the ability of protons of solar origin to access the near-equatorial inner magnetosphere. Here we examine four distinct solar proton events from 20–200 MeV, concurrent with both quiet time and storm time conditions using proton data from the ACE satellite in the solar wind upstream of Earth and data from the Relativistic Electron Proton Telescope (REPT) instrument aboard Van Allen Probes. We examine the direct flux correspondence between interplanetary space and the inner magnetosphere. Small substructures in interplanetary space are observable in the REPT flux profiles, which can penetrate down to L values of ≤4. Furthermore, there are orbit-to-orbit variations in the west-to-east anisotropic flux ratios. The anisotropic flux ratios are used as a proxy for cutoff energies and display cutoff variations with L shell and energy. The dependence of the anisotropic flux ratio on Dst values is shown. The results paint a picture of highly dynamic spatial and temporal proton cutoff rigidities in the near-equatorial inner magnetosphere. Filwett, Rachael; Jaynes, Allison; Baker, Daniel; Kanekal, Shrikanth; Kress, Brian; Blake, Bern; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 05/2020 YEAR: 2020 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2019JA027584 |
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Global Model of Whistler Mode Chorus in the Near-Equatorial Region (|λm|< 18°) We extend our database of whistler mode chorus, based on data from seven satellites, by including ∼3 years of data from Radiation Belt Storm Probes (RBSP)-A and RBSP-B and an additional ∼6 years of data from Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms (THEMIS)-A, THEMIS-D, and THEMIS-E. The new database allows us to probe the near-equatorial region in detail, revealing new features. In the equatorial source region, |λm|<6°, strong wave power is most extensive in the 0.1–0.4fce bands in the region 21–11 magnetic local time (MLT) from the plasmapause out to L∗ = 8 and beyond, especially near dawn. At higher frequencies, in the 0.4–0.6fce frequency bands, strong wave power is more tightly confined, typically being restricted to the postmidnight sector in the region 4 Meredith, Nigel; Horne, Richard; Shen, Xiao-Chen; Li, Wen; Bortnik, Jacob; Published by: Geophysical Research Letters Published on: 05/2020 YEAR: 2020 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2020GL087311 whistler mode chorus; wave-particle interactions; Radiation belts; Van Allen Probes |
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Whistler-mode hiss waves generally determine MeV electron lifetimes inside the plasmasphere. We use Van Allen Probes measurements to provide the first comprehensive statistical survey of plasmaspheric hiss-driven quasi-linear pitch-angle diffusion rates and lifetimes of MeV electrons as a function of L*, local time, and AE index, taking into account hiss power, electron plasma frequency to gyrofrequency ratio ωpe/Ωce, hiss frequency at peak power ωm, and cross correlations of these parameters. We find that during geomagnetically active periods with hiss observations, ωpe/Ωce and ωm decrease, leading to faster electron loss. We demonstrate that spatiotemporal variations of ωm and ωpe/Ωce with AE, together with wave power changes, significantly affect MeV electron loss, potentially leading to short lifetimes of less than 1 day. A parametric model of MeV electron lifetime driven by AE for L > 2.5 up to the plasmapause is developed and validated using Magnetic Electron Ion Spectrometer (MagEIS) electron flux decay database. Agapitov, O.; Mourenas, D.; Artemyev, A.; Claudepierre, S.; Hospodarsky, G.; Bonnell, J.; Published by: Geophysical Research Letters Published on: 05/2020 YEAR: 2020 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2020GL088052 electron lifetimes; plasmasphere; hiss waves; wave-particle interactions; Van Allen Probes |
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Simultaneous Observations of Localized and Global Drift Resonance In this study, we present Van Allen Probe observations showing that seed (hundreds of keV) and core ( 1 MeV) electrons can resonate with ultra-low-frequency (ULF) wave modes with distinctive m values simultaneously. An unusual electron energy spectrogram with double-banded resonant structure was recorded by energetic particle, composition, and thermal plasma (ECT)-magnetic electron ion spectrometer (MagEIS) and, meanwhile, boomerang stripes in pitch angle spectrogram appeared at the lower energy band. A localized drift resonance with m = 10 wave component was responsible for the resonant band peaked at ∼200 keV while a global drift resonance with m = 3 component gave rise to the upper band resonance peaked at ∼1 MeV. Time-Of-Flight on boomerang stripes suggested that the localized drift resonance with ∼200 keV electrons was confined within the plasmaspheric plume. Electron flux modulations were reproduced by numerical simulations in good consistency with the observations, supporting the scenario that localized and global drift resonance could coexist in the outer belt electron dynamics simultaneously. Hao, Y.; Zhao, X.; Zong, Q.-G.; Zhou, X.-Z.; Rankin, R.; Chen, X.; Liu, Y.; Fu, S; Blake, J.; Reeves, G.; Claudepierre, S.; Published by: Geophysical Research Letters Published on: 05/2020 YEAR: 2020 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2020GL088019 drift resonance; ULF waves; Radiation Belt Dynamics; boomerang stripes; azimuthal wave number; multiple resonances; Van Allen Probes |
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Global ENA Imaging and In Situ Observations of Substorm Dipolarization on 10 August 2016 Abstract This paper presents the first combined use of data from Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS), Two Wide-angle Imaging Neutral-atom Spectrometers (TWINS), and Van Allen Probes (RBSP) to study the 10 August 2016 magnetic dipolarization. We report the first correlation of MMS tail observations with TWINS energetic neutral atom (ENA) images of the ring current (RC). We analyze 15-min, 1° TWINS 2 images in 1–50 keV energy bins. To characterize the high-altitude RC we extract peak ENA flux from L= 2.5 to 5 in the postmidnight sector. We estimate peak low-altitude ion flux from ENAs near the Earth s limb. For a local perspective, we use spin-averaged proton fluxes from the RBSP A Helium Oxygen Proton Electron (HOPE) spectrometer. We find that the 1000 UT dipolarization triggered an abrupt and significant increase in low-altitude ions and a gradual but modest increase in the high-altitude RC. The relative strength and timing of the low versus high-altitude flux indicate that the dipolarization isotropized the injected ions and initially filled the loss cone. The substorm injection brought cooler ions in from the magnetotail, reducing the peak energy at both low and high altitudes. The post-dipolarization low-altitude flux exhibited a decay rate dispersion favoring longer decay times at lower energies, possibly caused by growth of the low energy RC providing enhanced flux into the loss cone. A variety of finer scale local injection structures were observed in the high-altitude RC both before and after the dipolarization, and the average system level RC intensity increased after 1000 UT. Goldstein, J.; Valek, P.; McComas, D.; Redfern, J.; Spence, H.; Skoug, R.; Larsen, B.; Reeves, G.; Nakamura, R.; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 04/2020 YEAR: 2020 DOI: 10.1029/2019JA027733 substorm dipolarization; cross-scale physics; imaging; multipoint in situ; ring current; Van Allen Probes |
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Abstract On 22 December 2015, the two Van Allen Probes observed two sets of electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) wave bursts during a close conjunction when both Probe A and Probe B were separated by 0.57 to 0.68 RE. The EMIC waves occurred during an active period in the recovery phase of a coronal mass ejection-driven geomagnetic storm. Both spacecraft observed EMIC wave bursts that had similar spatial structure within a 1–2 min time delay. The EMIC waves occurred outside the plasmasphere, within ΔL ≈ 1–2 of the plasmapause and within a few degrees in magnetic latitude of the equatorial plane. The spatial structure of the EMIC wave bursts may have been related to the proton drift paths outside the plasmasphere and influenced by total magnetic field strength variations associated with solar wind pressure enhancements. The EMIC waves were observed in a narrow L shell region from L ≈ 4.55–5.32 between 10 and 11 magnetic local time (MLT) on the outbound halves of the spacecraft orbits and from L ≈ 4.82–5.51 between 13 and 14 MLT on the inbound halves of the spacecraft orbits. However, Pc1 pulsations were observed on the ground over a broad range of local times. The anisotropy of the proton pitch angle distributions was enhanced when the EMIC waves were observed. Although the overall radiation belt response during this storm was dominated by acceleration and transport processes, the EMIC waves produced local pitch angle scattering of 13–15 keV protons and 2.1–2.6 MeV electrons, consistent with calculations of the expected resonant energies. Sigsbee, K.; Kletzing, C. A.; Faden, J.; Jaynes, A. N.; Reeves, G.; Jahn, J.-M.; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 04/2020 YEAR: 2020 DOI: 10.1029/2019JA027424 EMIC waves; Plasmapause; Proton Anisotropy; Storm Recovery Phase; Van Allen Probes; pitch angle scattering |
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Abstract A comprehensive numerical raytracing study of whistler mode wave power with the inclusion of finite background electron and ion temperature is performed in order to investigate wave power distribution in relation to the plasmapause. Both Landau damping and linear growth of whistler mode waves are taken into account using a bi-Maxwellian hot electron distribution as well as an isotropic hot electron distribution. Isotropic and bi-Maxwellian distributions yield similar results of statistical spatial wave power for frequencies below 500 Hz. The effect of finite background temperature of ∼1 eV for electrons and ions are secondary in terms of the spatial distribution of whistler mode waves relative to the plasmapause. Three primary equatorial source locations at L=2, Lpp and L=5, corresponding to within the plasmasphere, at the plasmapause and outside the plasmapause, are investigated for MLT values of 00, 06, 12, and 18. At each location, waves are launched with a range of initial wave normal angles (−70° to 20°). The simulated wave power distributions are compared with observations from the EMFISIS instrument on Van Allen Probe A. Correspondence between the simulated distribution and the observations requires a weighting of the source regions. Results suggest that the majority of whistler mode power in the plasmasphere is sourced from within the plasmasphere itself and near the plasmapause. Only at noon (MLT 12) is wave power sourced primarily from at and outside the plasmapause. Maxworth, A.; Gołkowski, M.; Malaspina, D.; Jaynes, A.; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 04/2020 YEAR: 2020 DOI: 10.1029/2019JA027154 hiss; plasmasphere; Warm Plasma; Raytracing; Magnetosphere; Van Allen Probes |
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Bayesian Inference of Quasi-Linear Radial Diffusion Parameters using Van Allen Probes Abstract The Van Allen radiation belts in the magnetosphere have been extensively studied using models based on radial diffusion theory, which is derived from a quasi-linear approach with prescribed inner and outer boundary conditions. The 1D diffusion model requires the knowledge of a diffusion coefficient and an electron loss timescale, which is typically parameterized in terms of various quantities such as the spatial (L) coordinate or a geomagnetic index (e.g., Kp). These terms are typically empirically derived, not directly measurable, and hence are not known precisely, due to the inherent nonlinearity of the process and the variable boundary conditions. In this work, we demonstrate a probabilistic approach by inferring the values of the diffusion and loss term parameters, along with their uncertainty, in a Bayesian framework, where identification is obtained using the Van Allen Probe measurements. Our results show that the probabilistic approach statistically improves the performance of the model, compared to the empirical parameterization employed in the literature. Sarma, Rakesh; Chandorkar, Mandar; Zhelavskaya, Irina; Shprits, Yuri; Drozdov, Alexander; Camporeale, Enrico; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 04/2020 YEAR: 2020 DOI: 10.1029/2019JA027618 radial diffusion; Magnetosphere; Bayesian inference; Van Allen radiation belt; Van Allen Probes |
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The Dynamics of the Inner Boundary of the Outer Radiation Belt During Geomagnetic Storms Abstract We investigate the shapes of the inner boundary of the outer radiation belt during different geomagnetic storm phases using energetic electron observations from Van Allen Probes. The case of two consecutive but isolated storms in April 2016 shows that (a) the inner boundary, as a function of L shell and energy, exhibits a “V-shaped” form with the energetic electrons showing a kappa-like energy spectrum (electron flux steeply falling with increasing energies), whereas it is in a “S-shaped” form as the energetic electrons show a reversed energy spectrum (electron flux going up with increasing energies from hundreds of keV to ∼1 MeV); (b) the boundary is abruptly transformed from S to V shape during the storm main phase and retains in V shape for several days until it evolves into S shape during the late recovery phase. The main statistical results from 37 isolated geomagnetic storms between 2013 and 2017 present that (a) the more SYM-H drops, the closest to Earth the transition from V to S shape starts, with a linear correlation coefficient of ∼0.7; (b) the minimum energy at which the transition starts is between 100 and 550 keV (typically, less than 250 keV); (c) the transition from V to S shape typically occurs in the plasmasphere. Shi, Xiaofei; Ren, Jie; Zong, Q.; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 04/2020 YEAR: 2020 DOI: 10.1029/2019JA027309 |
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The Relation Between Electron Cyclotron Harmonic Waves and Plasmapause: Case and Statistical Studies Abstract Observationally, electron cyclotron harmonic (ECH) waves are often terminated at the outer boundary of the plasmasphere boundary layer (PBL, i.e., plasmapause). Physics of this empirical relation is not well established. In this study, two categories of ECH waves are shown by their different behaviors near PBL. For Category I, all bands of ECH waves terminate at PBL because the density ratio (nh/nc) between hot and cold electrons decreases dramatically across PBL. For Category II, ECH waves, especially the lower harmonic bands, can be excited deeper inside the plasmasphere because nh/nc gradually decreases across PBL. A statistical study using Van Allen Probes observation is performed for these two categories. We find that the two categories of ECH waves are preferred to occur at nightside and dawnside. The two categories of ECH waves may be separated by the wave intensity outside the PBL or nh/nc with the threshold on the order of 10−10–10−9 (V/m)2 and 10−2, respectively. Liu, Xu; Chen, Lunjin; Xia, Zhiyang; Published by: Geophysical Research Letters Published on: 04/2020 YEAR: 2020 DOI: 10.1029/2020GL087365 two types of ECH wave; Plasmapause; instability; excitation and attenuation mechanism; statistical characteristics of two types of ECH wave; Van Allen Probes |
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Whistler Mode Quasiperiodic Emissions: Contrasting Van Allen Probes and DEMETER Occurrence Rates Abstract Quasiperiodic emissions are magnetospheric whistler mode waves at frequencies between about 0.5 and 4 kHz which exhibit a nearly periodic time modulation of the wave intensity. We use large data sets of events observed by the Van Allen Probes in the equatorial region at larger radial distances and by the low-altitude DEMETER spacecraft. While Van Allen Probes observe the events at all local times and longitudes, DEMETER observations are limited nearly exclusively to the daytime and significantly less frequent at the longitudes of the South Atlantic Anomaly. Further, while the events observed by Van Allen Probes are smoothly distributed over seasons with only mild maxima in spring/autumn, DEMETER occurrence rate has a single pronounced minimum in July. The apparent inconsistency is explained by considering a nondipolar Earth s magnetic field and significant background wave intensities which in these cases prevent the quasiperiodic events from being identified in DEMETER data. Němec, F.; Santolik, O.; Hospodarsky, G.; Hajoš, M.; Demekhov, A.; Kurth, W.; Parrot, M.; Hartley, D.; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 04/2020 YEAR: 2020 DOI: 10.1029/2020JA027918 quasiperiodic emissions; QP emissions; DEMETER; RBSP; Van Allen Probes |
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Quantifying the Effect of Plasmaspheric Hiss on the Electron Loss from the Slot Region Abstract We present global statistical models of both wave amplitude and wave normal angle (WNA) of plasmaspheric hiss using Van Allen Probe-A observations. They utilize the time history of solar wind parameters, i.e., interplanetary magnetic field BZ and solar wind speed, and the AE index for each measurement of hiss waves as inputs. The solar wind parameter-based model generally results in higher performance than using only the AE index as an input. Both observations and model results reveal a clear dependence of hiss wave distribution on the magnetic local time (MLT): higher amplitudes with field-aligned (<30o) WNAs occur more frequently on the dayside than on the nightside. Such a tendency does not depend on magnetic latitude (MLAT), but slightly larger WNAs with a relatively low amplitude frequently appear for larger MLAT (>10o). We also examine how significantly the electron loss rates in the slot region can be changed by incorporating the model output of hiss waves into a diffusive transport simulation. Simulation results show that during a typical timescale (roughly a couple of days) of a corotating interaction region-driven storm, the nightside hiss waves with larger WNA (>30o) do not contribute to the electron loss in the slot region due to their low amplitude and large WNA, while dayside hiss with WNAs less than 30o and comparatively higher amplitudes leads to a fast drop in flux, especially for electrons of a few hundred keV. Kim, Kyung-Chan; Shprits, Yuri; Wang, Dedong; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 04/2020 YEAR: 2020 DOI: 10.1029/2019JA027555 Plasmaspheric Hiss; Van Allen Probes; Electron slot region; Statistical modeling; Diffusion simulation; Wave-particle interaction |
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The Effect of Plasma Boundaries on the Dynamic Evolution of Relativistic Radiation Belt Electrons Abstract Understanding the dynamic evolution of relativistic electrons in the Earth s radiation belts during both storm and nonstorm times is a challenging task. The U.S. National Science Foundation s Geospace Environment Modeling (GEM) focus group “Quantitative Assessment of Radiation Belt Modeling” has selected two storm time and two nonstorm time events that occurred during the second year of the Van Allen Probes mission for in-depth study. Here, we perform simulations for these GEM challenge events using the 3D Versatile Electron Radiation Belt code. We set up the outer L* boundary using data from the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites and validate the simulation results against satellite observations from both the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites and Van Allen Probe missions for 0.9-MeV electrons. Our results show that the position of the plasmapause plays a significant role in the dynamic evolution of relativistic electrons. The magnetopause shadowing effect is included by using last closed drift shell, and it is shown to significantly contribute to the dropouts of relativistic electrons at high L*. We perform simulations using four different empirical radial diffusion coefficient models for the GEM challenge events, and the results show that these simulations reproduce the general dynamic evolution of relativistic radiation belt electrons. However, in the events shown here, simulations using the radial diffusion coefficients from Brautigam and Albert (2000) produce the best agreement with satellite observations. Wang, Dedong; Shprits, Yuri; Zhelavskaya, Irina; Effenberger, Frederic; Castillo, Angelica; Drozdov, Alexander; Aseev, Nikita; Cervantes, Sebastian; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 04/2020 YEAR: 2020 DOI: 10.1029/2019JA027422 Radiation belt; simulation; relativistic electrons; magnetopause shadowing; Wave-particle interaction; Plasmapause; Van Allen Probes |
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Abstract We study quasiperiodic very low frequency (VLF) emissions observed simultaneously by Van Allen Probes spacecraft and Kannuslehto and Lovozero ground-based stations on 25 December 2015. Both Van Allen Probes A and B detected quasiperiodic emissions, probably originated from a common source, and observed on the ground. In order to locate possible regions of wave generation, we analyze wave-normal angles with respect to the geomagnetic field, Poynting flux direction, and cyclotron instability growth rate calculated by using the measured phase space density of energetic electrons. We demonstrate that even parallel wave propagation and proper (downward) Poynting flux direction are not sufficient for claiming observations to be in the source region. Agreement between the growth rate and emission bands was obtained for a restricted part of Van Allen Probe A trajectory corresponding to localized enhancement of plasma density with scale of 700 km. We employ spacecraft density data to build a model plasma profile and to calculate ray trajectories from the point of wave detection in space to the ionosphere and examine the possibility of their propagation toward the ground. For the considered event, the wave could propagate toward the ground in the geomagnetic flux tube with enhanced plasma density, which ensured ducted propagation. The region of wave exit was confirmed by the analysis of wave propagation direction at the ground detection point. Demekhov, A.; Titova, E.; Maninnen, J.; Pasmanik, D.; Lubchich, A.; Santolik, O.; Larchenko, A.; Nikitenko, A.; Turunen, T.; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 04/2020 YEAR: 2020 DOI: 10.1029/2020JA027776 quasiperiodic VLF emissions; Cyclotron instability; wave propagation; Magnetosphere; whistler mode waves; Van Allen Probes |
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On 22 December 2015, the two Van Allen Probes observed two sets of electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) wave bursts during a close conjunction when both Probe A and Probe B were separated by 0.57 to 0.68 RE. The EMIC waves occurred during an active period in the recovery phase of a coronal mass ejection-driven geomagnetic storm. Both spacecraft observed EMIC wave bursts that had similar spatial structure within a 1–2 min time delay. The EMIC waves occurred outside the plasmasphere, within ΔL ≈ 1–2 of the plasmapause and within a few degrees in magnetic latitude of the equatorial plane. The spatial structure of the EMIC wave bursts may have been related to the proton drift paths outside the plasmasphere and influenced by total magnetic field strength variations associated with solar wind pressure enhancements. The EMIC waves were observed in a narrow L shell region from L ≈ 4.55–5.32 between 10 and 11 magnetic local time (MLT) on the outbound halves of the spacecraft orbits and from L ≈ 4.82–5.51 between 13 and 14 MLT on the inbound halves of the spacecraft orbits. However, Pc1 pulsations were observed on the ground over a broad range of local times. The anisotropy of the proton pitch angle distributions was enhanced when the EMIC waves were observed. Although the overall radiation belt response during this storm was dominated by acceleration and transport processes, the EMIC waves produced local pitch angle scattering of 13–15 keV protons and 2.1–2.6 MeV electrons, consistent with calculations of the expected resonant energies. Sigsbee, K.; Kletzing, C. A.; Faden, J.; Jaynes, A. N.; Reeves, G.; Jahn, J.-M.; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 04/2020 YEAR: 2020 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2019JA027424 EMIC waves; Plasmapause; Proton Anisotropy; Storm Recovery Phase; Van Allen Probes; pitch angle scattering |
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A comprehensive numerical raytracing study of whistler mode wave power with the inclusion of finite background electron and ion temperature is performed in order to investigate wave power distribution in relation to the plasmapause. Both Landau damping and linear growth of whistler mode waves are taken into account using a bi-Maxwellian hot electron distribution as well as an isotropic hot electron distribution. Isotropic and bi-Maxwellian distributions yield similar results of statistical spatial wave power for frequencies below 500 Hz. The effect of finite background temperature of ∼1 eV for electrons and ions are secondary in terms of the spatial distribution of whistler mode waves relative to the plasmapause. Three primary equatorial source locations at L=2, Lpp and L=5, corresponding to within the plasmasphere, at the plasmapause and outside the plasmapause, are investigated for MLT values of 00, 06, 12, and 18. At each location, waves are launched with a range of initial wave normal angles (−70° to 20°). The simulated wave power distributions are compared with observations from the EMFISIS instrument on Van Allen Probe A. Correspondence between the simulated distribution and the observations requires a weighting of the source regions. Results suggest that the majority of whistler mode power in the plasmasphere is sourced from within the plasmasphere itself and near the plasmapause. Only at noon (MLT 12) is wave power sourced primarily from at and outside the plasmapause. Maxworth, A.; Gołkowski, M.; Malaspina, D.; Jaynes, A.; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 04/2020 YEAR: 2020 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2019JA027154 hiss; plasmasphere; Warm Plasma; Raytracing; Magnetosphere; Van Allen Probes |
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Bayesian Inference of Quasi-Linear Radial Diffusion Parameters using Van Allen Probes The Van Allen radiation belts in the magnetosphere have been extensively studied using models based on radial diffusion theory, which is derived from a quasi-linear approach with prescribed inner and outer boundary conditions. The 1D diffusion model requires the knowledge of a diffusion coefficient and an electron loss timescale, which is typically parameterized in terms of various quantities such as the spatial (L) coordinate or a geomagnetic index (e.g., Kp). These terms are typically empirically derived, not directly measurable, and hence are not known precisely, due to the inherent nonlinearity of the process and the variable boundary conditions. In this work, we demonstrate a probabilistic approach by inferring the values of the diffusion and loss term parameters, along with their uncertainty, in a Bayesian framework, where identification is obtained using the Van Allen Probe measurements. Our results show that the probabilistic approach statistically improves the performance of the model, compared to the empirical parameterization employed in the literature. Sarma, Rakesh; Chandorkar, Mandar; Zhelavskaya, Irina; Shprits, Yuri; Drozdov, Alexander; Camporeale, Enrico; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 04/2020 YEAR: 2020 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2019JA027618 radial diffusion; Magnetosphere; Bayesian inference; Van Allen radiation belt; Van Allen Probes |
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The Dynamics of the Inner Boundary of the Outer Radiation Belt During Geomagnetic Storms We investigate the shapes of the inner boundary of the outer radiation belt during different geomagnetic storm phases using energetic electron observations from Van Allen Probes. The case of two consecutive but isolated storms in April 2016 shows that (a) the inner boundary, as a function of L shell and energy, exhibits a “V-shaped” form with the energetic electrons showing a kappa-like energy spectrum (electron flux steeply falling with increasing energies), whereas it is in a “S-shaped” form as the energetic electrons show a reversed energy spectrum (electron flux going up with increasing energies from hundreds of keV to ∼1 MeV); (b) the boundary is abruptly transformed from S to V shape during the storm main phase and retains in V shape for several days until it evolves into S shape during the late recovery phase. The main statistical results from 37 isolated geomagnetic storms between 2013 and 2017 present that (a) the more SYM-H drops, the closest to Earth the transition from V to S shape starts, with a linear correlation coefficient of ∼0.7; (b) the minimum energy at which the transition starts is between 100 and 550 keV (typically, less than 250 keV); (c) the transition from V to S shape typically occurs in the plasmasphere. Shi, Xiaofei; Ren, Jie; Zong, Q.; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 04/2020 YEAR: 2020 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2019JA027309 |
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The Dynamics of the Inner Boundary of the Outer Radiation Belt During Geomagnetic Storms We investigate the shapes of the inner boundary of the outer radiation belt during different geomagnetic storm phases using energetic electron observations from Van Allen Probes. The case of two consecutive but isolated storms in April 2016 shows that (a) the inner boundary, as a function of L shell and energy, exhibits a “V-shaped” form with the energetic electrons showing a kappa-like energy spectrum (electron flux steeply falling with increasing energies), whereas it is in a “S-shaped” form as the energetic electrons show a reversed energy spectrum (electron flux going up with increasing energies from hundreds of keV to ∼1 MeV); (b) the boundary is abruptly transformed from S to V shape during the storm main phase and retains in V shape for several days until it evolves into S shape during the late recovery phase. The main statistical results from 37 isolated geomagnetic storms between 2013 and 2017 present that (a) the more SYM-H drops, the closest to Earth the transition from V to S shape starts, with a linear correlation coefficient of ∼0.7; (b) the minimum energy at which the transition starts is between 100 and 550 keV (typically, less than 250 keV); (c) the transition from V to S shape typically occurs in the plasmasphere. Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 04/2020 YEAR: 2020 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2019JA027309 |
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The Relation Between Electron Cyclotron Harmonic Waves and Plasmapause: Case and Statistical Studies Observationally, electron cyclotron harmonic (ECH) waves are often terminated at the outer boundary of the plasmasphere boundary layer (PBL, i.e., plasmapause). Physics of this empirical relation is not well established. In this study, two categories of ECH waves are shown by their different behaviors near PBL. For Category I, all bands of ECH waves terminate at PBL because the density ratio (nh/nc) between hot and cold electrons decreases dramatically across PBL. For Category II, ECH waves, especially the lower harmonic bands, can be excited deeper inside the plasmasphere because nh/nc gradually decreases across PBL. A statistical study using Van Allen Probes observation is performed for these two categories. We find that the two categories of ECH waves are preferred to occur at nightside and dawnside. The two categories of ECH waves may be separated by the wave intensity outside the PBL or nh/nc with the threshold on the order of 10−10–10−9 (V/m)2 and 10−2, respectively. Liu, Xu; Chen, Lunjin; Xia, Zhiyang; Published by: Geophysical Research Letters Published on: 04/2020 YEAR: 2020 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2020GL087365 two types of ECH wave; Plasmapause; instability; excitation and attenuation mechanism; statistical characteristics of two types of ECH wave; Van Allen Probes |
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Whistler Mode Quasiperiodic Emissions: Contrasting Van Allen Probes and DEMETER Occurrence Rates Quasiperiodic emissions are magnetospheric whistler mode waves at frequencies between about 0.5 and 4 kHz which exhibit a nearly periodic time modulation of the wave intensity. We use large data sets of events observed by the Van Allen Probes in the equatorial region at larger radial distances and by the low-altitude DEMETER spacecraft. While Van Allen Probes observe the events at all local times and longitudes, DEMETER observations are limited nearly exclusively to the daytime and significantly less frequent at the longitudes of the South Atlantic Anomaly. Further, while the events observed by Van Allen Probes are smoothly distributed over seasons with only mild maxima in spring/autumn, DEMETER occurrence rate has a single pronounced minimum in July. The apparent inconsistency is explained by considering a nondipolar Earth s magnetic field and significant background wave intensities which in these cases prevent the quasiperiodic events from being identified in DEMETER data. Němec, F.; Santolik, O.; Hospodarsky, G.; Hajoš, M.; Demekhov, A.; Kurth, W.; Parrot, M.; Hartley, D.; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 04/2020 YEAR: 2020 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2020JA027918 quasiperiodic emissions; QP emissions; DEMETER; RBSP; Van Allen Probes |
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Quantifying the Effect of Plasmaspheric Hiss on the Electron Loss From the Slot Region We present global statistical models of both wave amplitude and wave normal angle (WNA) of plasmaspheric hiss using Van Allen Probe-A observations. They utilize the time history of solar wind parameters, that is, interplanetary magnetic field BZ and solar wind speed, and the AE index for each measurement of hiss waves as inputs. The solar wind parameter-based model generally results in higher performance than using only the AE index as an input. Both observations and model results reveal a clear dependence of hiss wave distribution on the magnetic local time (MLT): Higher amplitudes with field-aligned (<30o) WNAs occur more frequently on the dayside than on the nightside. Such a tendency does not depend on magnetic latitude (MLAT), but slightly larger WNAs with a relatively low amplitude frequently appear for larger MLAT (>10o). We also examine how significantly the electron loss rates in the slot region can be changed by incorporating the model output of hiss waves into a diffusive transport simulation. Simulation results show that during a typical timescale (roughly a couple of days) of a corotating interaction region-driven storm, the nightside hiss waves with larger WNA (>30o) do not contribute to the electron loss in the slot region due to their low amplitude and large WNA, while dayside hiss with WNAs less than 30o and comparatively higher amplitudes leads to a fast drop in flux, especially for electrons of a few hundred keV. Kim, Kyung-Chan; Shprits, Yuri; Wang, Dedong; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 04/2020 YEAR: 2020 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2019JA027555 Plasmaspheric Hiss; Van Allen Probes; Electron slot region; Statistical modeling; Diffusion simulation; Wave-particle interaction |
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The Effect of Plasma Boundaries on the Dynamic Evolution of Relativistic Radiation Belt Electrons Understanding the dynamic evolution of relativistic electrons in the Earth s radiation belts during both storm and nonstorm times is a challenging task. The U.S. National Science Foundation s Geospace Environment Modeling (GEM) focus group “Quantitative Assessment of Radiation Belt Modeling” has selected two storm time and two nonstorm time events that occurred during the second year of the Van Allen Probes mission for in-depth study. Here, we perform simulations for these GEM challenge events using the 3D Versatile Electron Radiation Belt code. We set up the outer L* boundary using data from the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites and validate the simulation results against satellite observations from both the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites and Van Allen Probe missions for 0.9-MeV electrons. Our results show that the position of the plasmapause plays a significant role in the dynamic evolution of relativistic electrons. The magnetopause shadowing effect is included by using last closed drift shell, and it is shown to significantly contribute to the dropouts of relativistic electrons at high L*. We perform simulations using four different empirical radial diffusion coefficient models for the GEM challenge events, and the results show that these simulations reproduce the general dynamic evolution of relativistic radiation belt electrons. However, in the events shown here, simulations using the radial diffusion coefficients from Brautigam and Albert (2000) produce the best agreement with satellite observations. Wang, Dedong; Shprits, Yuri; Zhelavskaya, Irina; Effenberger, Frederic; Castillo, Angelica; Drozdov, Alexander; Aseev, Nikita; Cervantes, Sebastian; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 04/2020 YEAR: 2020 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2019JA027422 Radiation belt; simulation; relativistic electrons; magnetopause shadowing; Wave-particle interaction; Plasmapause; Van Allen Probes |
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We study quasiperiodic very low frequency (VLF) emissions observed simultaneously by Van Allen Probes spacecraft and Kannuslehto and Lovozero ground-based stations on 25 December 2015. Both Van Allen Probes A and B detected quasiperiodic emissions, probably originated from a common source, and observed on the ground. In order to locate possible regions of wave generation, we analyze wave-normal angles with respect to the geomagnetic field, Poynting flux direction, and cyclotron instability growth rate calculated by using the measured phase space density of energetic electrons. We demonstrate that even parallel wave propagation and proper (downward) Poynting flux direction are not sufficient for claiming observations to be in the source region. Agreement between the growth rate and emission bands was obtained for a restricted part of Van Allen Probe A trajectory corresponding to localized enhancement of plasma density with scale of 700 km. We employ spacecraft density data to build a model plasma profile and to calculate ray trajectories from the point of wave detection in space to the ionosphere and examine the possibility of their propagation toward the ground. For the considered event, the wave could propagate toward the ground in the geomagnetic flux tube with enhanced plasma density, which ensured ducted propagation. The region of wave exit was confirmed by the analysis of wave propagation direction at the ground detection point. Demekhov, A.; Titova, E.; Maninnen, J.; Pasmanik, D.; Lubchich, A.; Santolik, O.; Larchenko, A.; Nikitenko, A.; Turunen, T.; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 04/2020 YEAR: 2020 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2020JA027776 quasiperiodic VLF emissions; Cyclotron instability; wave propagation; Magnetosphere; whistler mode waves; Van Allen Probes |
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Abstract Forecasting relativistic electron fluxes at geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) has been a long-term goal of the scientific community, and significant advances have been made in the past, but the relation to the interior of the radiation belts, that is, to lower L-shells, is still not clear. In this work we have identified 60 relativistic electron enhancement events at GEO to study the radial response of outer belt fluxes and the correlation between the fluxes at GEO and those at lower L-shells. The enhancement events occurred between 1 October 2012 and 31 December 2017 and were identified using Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) 15 >2 MeV fluxes at GEO, which we have used to characterize the radial response of the radiation belt, by comparing to fluxes measured by the Van Allen probes Energetic Particle, Composition and Thermal Plasma Suite Relativistic Electron-Proton Telescope (ECT-REPT) between 2.5 Pinto, Victor; Bortnik, Jacob; Moya, Pablo; Lyons, Larry; Sibeck, David; Kanekal, Shrikanth; Spence, Harlan; Baker, Daniel; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 03/2020 YEAR: 2020 DOI: 10.1029/2019JA027660 Radiation belts; relativistic electrons; geosynchronous orbit; Outer Belt; flux correlation; enhancement events; Van Allen Probes |
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A Multi-Instrument Approach to Determining the Source-Region Extent of EEP-Driving EMIC Waves 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. Hendry, A.; Santolik, O.; Miyoshi, Y.; Matsuoka, A.; Rodger, C.; Clilverd, M.; Kletzing, C.; Shoji, M.; Shinohara, I.; Published by: Geophysical Research Letters Published on: 03/2020 YEAR: 2020 DOI: 10.1029/2019GL086599 EMIC waves; electron precipitation; subionospheric VLF; Van Allen Probes; AARDDVARK; Arase |
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Fine Harmonic Structure of Equatorial Noise with a Quasiperiodic Modulation Abstract Equatorial noise emissions (fast magnetosonic waves) are electromagnetic waves observed routinely in the equatorial region of the inner magnetosphere. They propagate with wave vectors nearly perpendicular to the ambient magnetic field; that is, they are limited to frequencies below the lower hybrid frequency. The waves are generated by instabilities of ring-like proton distribution functions, which result in their fine harmonic structure with intensity maxima close to harmonics of the proton cyclotron frequency in the source region. Although most equatorial noise emissions are continuous in time, some events exhibit a clear quasiperiodic time modulation of the wave intensity, with typical modulation periods on the order of minutes. We analyze 72 such events (17 observed by the Cluster spacecraft, 55 observed by the Van Allen Probes spacecraft) for which high-resolution data were available. The analysis of the observed harmonic structure allows us to determine source radial distances of the events. It is found that the calculated source radial distances are generally close to the radial distances where the events were observed. The harmonic numbers where the events are generated range between about 12 and 30. Two events for which the spacecraft passed through the generation region were identified and analyzed. No simultaneous ultra-low-frequency magnetic field pulsations and no periodic plasma number density variations were observed. Although the in situ measured proton distribution functions were shown to be responsible for the wave growth, an insufficient resolution of the particle instruments prevented us from detecting a quasiperiodic modulation possibly present in the particle data. Němec, F.; Tomori, A.; Santolik, O.; Boardsen, S.; Hospodarsky, G.; Kurth, W.; Pickett, J.; Kletzing, C.; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 03/2020 YEAR: 2020 DOI: 10.1029/2019JA027509 equatorial noise; Fast Magnetosonic Waves; quasiperiodic modulation; Van Allen Probes |
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The Role of the Dynamic Plasmapause in Outer Radiation Belt Electron Flux Enhancement Abstract The plasmasphere is a highly dynamic toroidal region of cold, dense plasma around Earth. Plasma waves exist both inside and outside this region and can contribute to the loss and acceleration of high energy outer radiation belt electrons. Early observational studies found an apparent correlation on long time scales between the observed inner edge of the outer radiation belt and the modeled innermost plasmapause location. More recent work using high-resolution Van Allen Probes data has found a more complex relationship. For this study, we determine the standoff distance of the location of maximum electron flux of the outer belt MeV electrons from the plasmapause following rapid enhancement events. We find that the location of the outer radiation belt based on maximum electron flux is consistently outside the plasmapause, with a peak radial standoff distance of ∆L ~ 1. We discuss the implications this result has for acceleration mechanisms. Bruff, M.; Jaynes, A.; Zhao, H.; Goldstein, J.; Malaspina, D.; Baker, D.; Kanekal, S.; Spence, H.; Reeves, G.; Published by: Geophysical Research Letters Published on: 03/2020 YEAR: 2020 DOI: 10.1029/2020GL086991 Plasmapause; outer radiation belt; Magnetosphere; chorus waves; Van Allen Probes |
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Abstract We provide a statistical analysis of both electric and magnetic field wave amplitudes of very low frequency lightning-generated waves (LGWs) based on the equivalent of 11.5 years of observations made by the Van Allen Probes encompassing ~24.6 × 106 survey mode measurements. We complement this analysis with data from the ground-based World Wide Lightning Location Network to explore differences between satellite and ground-based measurements. LGW mean amplitudes are found to be low compared with other whistler mode waves (1 ± 1.6 pT and 19 ± 59 μV/m). Extreme events (1/5,000) can reach 100 pT and contributes strongly to the mean power below L = 2. We find excellent correlations between World Wide Lightning Location Network-based power and wave amplitudes in space at various longitudes. We reveal strong dayside ionospheric damping of the LGW electric field. LGW amplitudes drop for L < 2, contrary to the Earth s intense equatorial lightning activity. We conclude that it is difficult for equatorial LGW to propagate and remain at L < 2. Ripoll, J.-F.; Farges, T.; Malaspina, D.; Lay, E.; Cunningham, G.; Hospodarsky, G.; Kletzing, C.; Wygant, J.; Published by: Geophysical Research Letters Published on: 03/2020 YEAR: 2020 DOI: 10.1029/2020GL087503 lightning-generated waves; electric wave power; magnetic wave power; WWLLN database; Radiation belts; Van Allen Probes |
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Abstract The inner magnetosphere including the radiation belt environment is replete with quasi-electrostatic fluctuations with peak frequency in the upper-hybrid frequency range. Some examples are demonstrated with the Van Allen Probe spacecraft data. These features have recently been explained in the framework of spontaneously emitted thermal noise theory. Such an environment is also characterized by quasi-isotropic population of energized electrons, which naturally leads one to ask whether these electrons and the upper-hybrid fluctuations influence each other. The present paper explores the potential causal relationship between the two features via kinetic theory. It is shown that indeed, isotropic energetic electrons and upper-hybrid frequency thermal fluctuations can be dynamically coupled and that they could coexist in a quasi-steady state manner. Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 03/2020 YEAR: 2020 DOI: 10.1029/2019JA027748 upper-hybrid fluctuation; energetic electron; Radiation belt; Van Allen Probes; spontaneous emission; thermal noise |
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Evolutions of equatorial ring current ions during a magnetic storm In this paper, we present evolutions of the phase space density (PSD) spectra of ring current (RC) ions based on observations made by Van Allen Probe B during a geomagnetic storm on 23–24 August 2016. By analyzing PSD spectra ratios from the initial phase to the main phase of the storm, we find that during the main phase, RC ions with low magnetic moment μ values can penetrate deeper into the magnetosphere than can those with high μ values, and that the μ range of PSD enhancement meets the relationship: S(O+) > S(He+) > S(H+). Based on simultaneously observed ULF waves, theoretical calculation suggests that the radial transport of RC ions into the deep inner magnetosphere is caused by drift-bounce resonance interactions, and the efficiency of these resonance interactions satisfies the relationship: η(O+) > η(He+) > η(H+), leading to the differences in μ range of PSD enhancement for different RC ions. In the recovery phase, the observed decay rates for different RC ions meet the relationship: R(O+) > R(He+) > R(H+), in accordance with previous theoretical calculations, i.e., the charge exchange lifetime of O+ is shorter than those of H+ and He+. Huang, Zheng; Yuan, Zhigang; Yu, Xiongdong; Published by: Earth and Planetary Physics Published on: 03/2020 YEAR: 2020 DOI: 10.26464/epp2020019 ULF waves; ring current; wave-particle interactions; Radial Transport; Geomagnetic storm; Decay rates; Van Allen Probes |
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Global Simulation of Electron Cyclotron Harmonic Wave Instability in a Storm-Time Magnetosphere Abstract Electron cyclotron harmonic (ECH) waves are electrostatic emissions between the ECHs and play a dominant role for precipitating energetic electrons in the magnetotail. Statistically, the ECH wave intensity is stronger at nightside and dawnside than at dayside and duskside. In this study, we, for the first time, simulate the global ECH wave evolution during a geomagnetic storm event using Ring current Atmosphere interactions Model with Self-Consistent Magnetic field (RAM-SCB) combined with a linear growth rate solver. We find that the simulation results are generally consistent with the statistical and real-time observations. The ECH wave instability is much stronger at nightside and dawnside, compared to the instability at dayside and duskside. Before a geomagnetic storm (quiet time), the unstable regions of the ECH waves lie beyond with a weak instability level. During the main phase of a geomagnetic storm, the unstable regions can extend to a lower altitude ( ) with a strong instability level. During the recovery phase, the unstable regions return to . We also find that the inner boundary of unstable ECH wave regions is coincident with the plasmapause location during the whole geomagnetic storm event. Liu, Xu; Chen, Lunjin; Engel, Miles; Jordanova, Vania; Published by: Geophysical Research Letters Published on: 02/2020 YEAR: 2020 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2019GL086368 ECH wave global instability; RAM-SCB model; Geomagnetic storm; Van Allen Probes |
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Plasmaspheric hiss is an important whistler-mode emission shaping the Van Allen radiation belt environment. How the plasmaspheric hiss waves are generated, propagate, and dissipate remains under intense debate. With the five spacecraft of Van Allen Probes, Exploration of energization and Radiation in Geospace (Arase), and Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites missions at widely spaced locations, we present here the first comprehensive observations of hiss waves growing from the substorm-injected electron instability, spreading within the plasmasphere, and dissipating over a large spatial scale. During substorms, hot electrons were injected energy-dispersively into the plasmasphere near the dawnside and, probably through a combination of linear and nonlinear cyclotron resonances, generated whistler-mode waves with globally drifting frequencies. These waves were able to propagate from the dawnside to the noonside, with the frequency-drifting feature retained. Approximately 5 hr of magnetic local time away from the source region in the dayside sector, the wave power was dissipated to urn:x-wiley:grl:media:grl60110:grl60110-math-0001 of its original level. Liu, Nigang; Su, Zhenpeng; Gao, Zhonglei; Zheng, Huinan; Wang, Yuming; Wang, Shui; Miyoshi, Yoshizumi; Shinohara, Iku; Kasahara, Yoshiya; Tsuchiya, Fuminori; Kumamoto, Atsushi; Matsuda, Shoya; Shoji, Masafumi; Mitani, Takefumi; Takashima, Takeshi; Kazama, Yoichi; Wang, Bo-Jhou; Wang, Shiang-Yu; Jun, Chae-Woo; Chang, Tzu-Fang; W. Y. Tam, Sunny; Kasahara, Satoshi; Yokota, Shoichiro; Keika, Kunihiro; Hori, Tomoaki; Matsuoka, Ayako; Published by: Geophysical Research Letters Published on: 01/2020 YEAR: 2020 DOI: 10.1029/2019GL086040 plasmasphere; Plasmaspheric Hiss; Radiation belt; Van Allen Probes; Wave Dissipation; wave generation; wave propagation |
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The plasmasphere is a critical region of the magnetosphere. It is important for the evolution of Earth\textquoterights radiation belts. Waves in the plasmasphere interior (hiss) and vicinity (EMIC, chorus) help control the acceleration and loss of radiation belt particles. Thus, understanding the extent, structure, content, and dynamics of the plasmasphere is crucial to understanding radiation belt losses. The Van Allen Probes mission uses two methods to determine the total plasma density. First, the upper hybrid resonance (UHR) frequency can provide electron density; this determination is the most accurate and robust. However, it requires significant analysis and is challenging during geomagnetically active times: it becomes difficult to interpret the wave spectrum, and the amount of available data is severely limited. Second, the spacecraft potential is a proxy for the plasma density. These high resolution measurements are available with high duty cycle. However, environmental effects can limit the accuracy of this method. The relation between spacecraft potential and density is empirical, requiring an independent density measurement and repeated checks. We perform a quantitative comparison of these two in situ techniques during the first 3.5 years of the Van Allen Probes mission. We show how to calibrate potential-based density measurements using only publicly available wave-derived densities to provide high fidelity results even if upper hybrid measurements are sparse or unavailable. We quantify the level of uncertainty to expect from potential-derived density data. Our approach can be applied to any in situ spacecraft mission where reliable absolute density and spacecraft potential data are available. Jahn, J.-M.; Goldstein, J.; Kurth, W.S.; Thaller, S.; De Pascuale, S.; Wygant, J.; Reeves, G.D.; Spence, H.E.; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 01/2020 YEAR: 2020 DOI: 10.1029/2019JA026860 cold plasma density; plasmasphere; spacecraft charging; Van Allen Probes; wave resonances |
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Direct evidence of the pitch angle scattering of relativistic electrons induced by EMIC waves In this study, we analyze an EMIC wave event of rising tone elements recorded by the Van Allen Probes. The pitch angle distributions of relativistic electrons exhibit a direct response to the two elements of EMIC waves: at the intermediate pitch angle the fluxes are lower and at the low pitch angle the fluxes are higher than those when no EMIC was observed. In particular, the observed changes in the pitch angle distributions are most likely to be caused by nonlinear wave particle interaction. The calculation of the minimum resonant energy and a test particle simulation based on the observed EMIC waves support the role of the nonlinear wave-particle interaction in the pitch angle scattering. This study provides direct evidence for the nonlinear pitch angle scattering of electrons by EMIC waves. Zhu, Hui; Chen, Lunjin; Claudepierre, Seth; Zheng, Liheng; Published by: Geophysical Research Letters Published on: 01/2020 YEAR: 2020 DOI: 10.1029/2019GL085637 EMIC waves; nonlinear wave-particle interaction; pitch angle scattering; Van Allen Probes |
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Episodic Occurrence of Field-Aligned Energetic Ions on the Dayside The tens of kiloelectron volt ions observed in the ring current region at L ~ 3\textendash7 generally have pancake pitch angle distributions, that is, peaked at 90\textdegree. However, in this study, by using the Van Allen Probe observations on the dayside, unexpectedly, we have found that about 5\% time, protons with energies of ~30 to 50 keV show two distinct populations, having an additional field-aligned population overlapping with the original pancake population. The newly appearing field-aligned populations have higher occurrence rates at ~12\textendash16 magnetic local time during geomagnetically active times. In particular, we have studied eight such events in detail and found that the source regions are located around 12 to 18 magnetic local time which coincides with our statistical result. Based on the ionospheric and geosynchronous observations, it is suggested that these energetic ions with field-aligned pitch angle distributions probably are accelerated near postnoon in association with ionospheric disturbances that are triggered by tail injections. Yue, Chao; Bortnik, Jacob; Zou, Shasha; Nishimura, Yukitoshi; Foster, John; Coppeans, Thomas; Ma, Qianli; Zong, Qiugang; Hull, A.; Henderson, Mike; Reeves, Geoffrey; Spence, Harlan; Published by: Geophysical Research Letters Published on: 01/2020 YEAR: 2020 DOI: 10.1029/2019GL086384 |
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Space weather effects and prediction Adverse conditions in the space environment, that is, space weather, can affect the performance and reliability of space-borne and ground-based technological systems. The dynamic near-Earth space environment, driven by solar activity, exhibits large variations of energetic particles, plasma, and electromagnetic fields. Abrupt changes or enhancements in these may cause disruption of satellite operations, communications, and electric power grids, leading to a variety of economic losses and impacts on our security. This chapter describes various space weather effects related to energetic particle populations in the inner magnetosphere during geomagnetic storms. Among the most important of these effects are geomagnetically induced currents (GICs) and spacecraft charging. GICs are due to time varying magnetic fields at the Earth’s surface produced by the spatial and time variable electric currents flowing in the ionosphere and magnetosphere during geomagnetic disturbances. Spacecraft surface charging is due to moderate-energy electrons depositing their charge on spacecraft surfaces and driving potential differences, which can lead to discharges that can damage material and electronics. Spacecraft internal (or “deep dielectric”) charging is due to highly energetic electrons that can penetrate through spacecraft shielding and can damage sensitive subsystems or even cause failure of the entire space system. Recent advances in our understanding of these space weather effects and capabilities for their nowcast and forecast are presented. Roeder, James; Jordanova, Vania; Published by: Ring Current Investigations The Quest for Space Weather Prediction Published on: YEAR: 2020 DOI: 10.1016/B978-0-12-815571-4.00008-1 spacecraft charging; electrostatic discharges; geomagnetically induced currents; electrical power systems; Van Allen Probes |
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Statistical Dependence of EMIC Wave Scattering on Wave and Plasma Parameters Abstract A recent statistical study (Qin et al., 2018, https://doi.org/10.1029/2018JA025419) has suggested that not all electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves can scatter relativistic electrons. However, knowledge of the factors that influence the EMIC wave scattering efficiency is still limited in observations. In our study, we perform 6 years of analysis of data from 2013 to 2018, with relativistic electron precipitation (REP) observed by POES and EMIC wave observations from Van Allen Probes. The coincidence occurrence rate between EMIC waves and relativistic electron precipitation events is about 34\%. Proportion of different bands of EMIC wave events that are associated with REP is as follows: H+ band and He+ band waves occurring simultaneously >H+ band >He+ band occurrence, same as in our previous study (Qin et al., 2018, https://doi.org/10.1029/2018JA025419). It is also found that the coincidence occurrence rate of EMIC wave events and REP events increases with respect to increased background plasma density, with increases in the ratio of plasma frequency to local gyrofrequency, increasing EMIC wave power and when the wave frequency approaches the gyrofrequency. The dependence on background electron density is stronger than the dependence on the ratio of plasma frequency to gyrofrequency. The coincidence occurrence rate decreases as the magnetic field increases between 120 and 270 nT, consistent with a previous study. These results are critical for better understanding and predicting the REP into the upper atmosphere due to EMIC waves. Qin, Murong; Hudson, Mary; Millan, Robyn; Woodger, Leslie; Shen, Xiaochen; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: YEAR: 2020 DOI: 10.1029/2020JA027772 EMIC waves; relativistic electron precipitation; coincidence occurrence rate; parametric dependence; Van Allen Probes |
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Upper Limit of Electron Fluxes Observed in the Radiation Belts Radiation belt electrons have a complicated relationship with geomagnetic activity. We select electron measurements from 7 years of DEMETER and 6 years of Van Allen Probes data during geomagnetic storms to conduct statistical analysis focusing on the correlation between electron flux and Dst index. We report, for the first time, an upper limit of electron fluxes observed by both satellites throughout the inner and outer belts across a wide energy range from ?100s keV to multi-MeV. The upper flux limit is determined at different L s and energies, for example, 1.9 × 107/cm2-s-sr-MeV at 470 keV at L = 1.5 and 3.6 × 105/cm2-s-sr-MeV at 3.4 MeV at L = 4 (Van Allen Probes). We present the energy spectra of the electron flux upper limit at different L shells and find the measured upper flux limit to be at least three times higher than the predicted flux from the AE8/AE9 models, although the spectral shape is remarkably similar. We show that the average flux with an applied time lag is better correlated with the Dst index and that the time lag optimizing the correlation coefficient is larger at lower L and at higher energies. These findings present the underlying challenges to model the dynamic variation of relativistic electrons in the inner magnetosphere and are important information for space weather considerations. Zhang, Kun; Li, Xinlin; Zhao, Hong; Xiang, Zheng; Khoo, Leng; Zhang, Wenxun; Hogan, Benjamin; Temerin, Michael; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: YEAR: 2020 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2020JA028511 electron; Radiation belt; statistics; upper limit; Van Allen Probes |
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Observations and measurement techniques There have now been over 50 years of in situ measurements of the ring current. As the measurement capabilities have increased, and more missions have contributed, a remarkably consistent picture has developed of the characteristics of the ring current. In this paper, we review the observations of the ring current, starting from the satellites in the early 60’s, the breakthrough of Explorer 45 identifying the particle population that creates the ring current, and the surprises when the first composition measurements at low energies were made, showing the importance of the ionospheric plasma. We present the measurements of composition of the bulk of the ring current that became possible with the AMPTE/CCE and CRRES missions. We then discuss the new global view of the ring current provided by energetic neutral atom imaging. Finally, we present the results of the Cluster, Van Allen Probes, and Arase missions, that have allowed unprecedented observations of both the small-scale and large-scale temporal, and spatial dynamics of the ring current. Published by: Ring Current Investigations The Quest for Space Weather Prediction Published on: YEAR: 2020 DOI: 10.1016/B978-0-12-815571-4.00010-X |
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Published by: Ring Current Investigations The Quest for Space Weather Prediction Published on: YEAR: 2020 DOI: 10.1016/B978-0-12-815571-4.00006-8 collisional losses; wave-particle interactions; Geomagnetic storms; Magnetopause Losses; ring current; field line curvature scattering; Van Allen Probes |
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On 23 February 2014, Van Allen Probes sensors observed quite strong electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves in the outer dayside magnetosphere. The maximum amplitude was more than 14 nT, comparable to 7\% of the magnitude of the ambient magnetic field. The EMIC waves consisted of a series of coherent rising tone emissions. Rising tones are excited sporadically by energetic protons. At the same time, the probes detected drastic fluctuations in fluxes of MeV electrons. It was found that the electron fluxes decreased by more than 30\% during the 1 min following the observation of each EMIC rising tone emissions. Furthermore, it is concluded that the flux reduction is a nonadiabatic (irreversible) process since holes in the particle flux levels appear as drift echoes with energy dispersion. We examine the process of electron pitch angle scattering by nonlinear wave trapping due to anomalous cyclotron resonance with EMIC rising tone emissions. The energy range of precipitated electrons agrees with the presumed energy for the threshold amplitude for nonlinear wave trapping. This is the first report of rapid precipitation (<1 min) of relativistic electrons by EMIC rising tone emissions and their drift echoes in time observed by spacecraft. Nakamura, S.; Omura, Y.; Kletzing, C.; Baker, D.; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: May-08-2020 YEAR: 2019 DOI: 10.1029/2019JA026772 EMIC waves; Magnetosphere; microburst; nonlinear; Radiation belt; Van Allen Probes; Wave-particle interaction |
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Decay of Ultrarelativistic Remnant Belt Electrons Through Scattering by Plasmaspheric Hiss Ultrarelativistic electron remnant belts appear frequently following geomagnetic disturbances and are located in-between the inner radiation belt and a reforming outer belt. As remnant belts are relatively stable, here we explore the importance of hiss and electromagnetic ion cyclotron waves in controlling the observed decay rates of remnant belt ultrarelativistic electrons in a statistical way. Using measurements from the Van Allen Probes inside the plasmasphere for 25 remnant belt events that occurred between 2012 and 2017 and that are located in the region 2.9 Pinto, V.; Mourenas, D.; Bortnik, J.; Zhang, X.-J.; Artemyev, A.; Moya, P.; Lyons, L.; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: Dec-07-2019 YEAR: 2019 DOI: 10.1029/2019JA026509 Decay rates; EMIC waves; MeV Electron Decay; Plasmaspheric Hiss; Radiation belts; Remnant Belt; Van Allen Probes |
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Fast magnetosonic (MS) waves can play an important role in the evolution of the inner magnetosphere. However, there is still not an effective method to quantitatively identify such waves for observations of the Van Allen Probes reasonably. In this paper, we used Van Allen Probes data from 18 September 2012 to 30 September 2014 to find a more comprehensive automatic detection algorithm for fast MS waves through statistical analysis of the major properties, including the planarity, ellipticity, and wave normal angle of whole fluctuations using the singular value decomposition method. According to a control variate method, we find an obvious difference between fast MS waves and other waves in the statistical distribution of their major properties. After eliminating the influence of background noises, by excluding fluctuations at L < 1.8, we set up an automatic detection algorithm applied to fast MS waves, that is, smaller than 0.2 for the absolute value of wave ellipticity, larger than 70\textdegree for the wave normal angle, with frequency range of 2 Hz to 1.5 fLHR (fLHR is the local lower hybrid resonance frequency). Finally, we have checked the planarity to verify availability of this method and tested this completely automatic method on the Van Allen Probes data and found some results consistent with previous studies. Inside the plasmapause, we found that there is a more obviously favorable occurrence of MS waves at dusk sector with increasing magnetic latitudes. Yuan, Zhigang; Yao, Fei; Yu, Xiongdong; Huang, Shiyong; Ouyang, Zhihai; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: Apr-05-2021 YEAR: 2019 DOI: 10.1029/2018JA026387 ellipticity; magnetosonic wave; normalized distribution; planarity; Van Allen Probes; wave normal angle |
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Based on the statistical data measured by Van Allen Probes from 2012 to 2016, we analyzed the effects of solar wind plasma flow and interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) on the spatial distribution of Earth\textquoterights radiation belt electrons (>100 keV). The statistical results indicate that the increases in solar wind plasma density and flow speed can exert different effects on the spatial structure of the radiation belts. The high solar wind plasma density (>6 cm-3)/flow pressure (>2.5 nPa) and a large southward IMF (Bz < -6 nT) usually appear in the front of high-speed solar wind streams (> 450 km/s), and they tend to narrow the outer radiation belt but broaden the slot region. In contrast, the increase in solar wind flow speed can broaden the outer radiation belt but narrows the slot region. When the solar wind speed exceeds 500 km/s, the outer radiation belt electrons can penetrate into the slot region (L < 3) and even enter the inner radiation belt (L < 2). The lower-energy electrons penetrate into the deeper (smaller-L) region than the higher-energy electrons. Li, L.Y.; Yang, S.S.; Cao, J.B.; Yu, J.; Luo, X.Y.; Blake, J.B.; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 12/2019 YEAR: 2019 DOI: 10.1029/2019JA027284 Changes in The Spatial Structure of Earth\textquoterights Radiation Belts; Increase in Solar Wind Plasma Density; Increase in Solar Wind Plasma Flow Speed; Northward Interplanetary Magnetic Field; Southward interplanetary magnetic field; Van Allen Probes |
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Using Relativistic Electron Proton Telescope measurements onboard Van Allen Probes, the evolution of electron pitch angle distributions (PADs) during the different phases of magnetic storms is studied. Electron fluxes are sorted in terms of storm phase, urn:x-wiley:jgra:media:jgra55457:jgra55457-math-0001 value, energy, and magnetic local time (MLT) sectors for 55 magnetic storms from October 2012 through May 2017. To understand the potential mechanisms for the evolution of electron PADs, we fit PADs to a sinusoidal function urn:x-wiley:jgra:media:jgra55457:jgra55457-math-0002, where urn:x-wiley:jgra:media:jgra55457:jgra55457-math-0003 is the equatorial pitch angle and n is a real number. The major inferences from our study are (i) at L urn:x-wiley:jgra:media:jgra55457:jgra55457-math-00045, the prestorm electron PADs are nearly isotropic (n urn:x-wiley:jgra:media:jgra55457:jgra55457-math-00050), which evolves differently in different MLT sectors during the main phase subsequently recovering back to nearly isotropic distribution type during the storm recovery phase; (ii) for urn:x-wiley:jgra:media:jgra55457:jgra55457-math-0006 urn:x-wiley:jgra:media:jgra55457:jgra55457-math-0007 3.4 MeV, the main phase electron PADs become more pancake like on the dayside with high n values (>3), while it becomes more flattop to butterfly like on the nightside, (iii) at L = 5, magnetic field strength during the storm main phase enhances during the daytime and decreases during the nighttime. (iv) Conversely, at L urn:x-wiley:jgra:media:jgra55457:jgra55457-math-00083, the electron PADs neither respond significantly to the different phase of the magnetic storm nor reflect any MLT dependence. (v) Main phase, electron fluxes with urn:x-wiley:jgra:media:jgra55457:jgra55457-math-0009 <4.2 MeV shows a persistent 90\textdegree maximum PAD with n ranging between 0 and 2, while for urn:x-wiley:jgra:media:jgra55457:jgra55457-math-0010 urn:x-wiley:jgra:media:jgra55457:jgra55457-math-0011 4.2 MeV the distribution appears flattop and butterfly like. Our study shows that the relativistic electron PADs depend upon the geomagnetic storm phase and possible underlying mechanisms are discussed in this paper. Pandya, Megha; Bhaskara, Veenadhari; Ebihara, Yusuke; Kanekal, Shrikanth; Baker, Daniel; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 12/2019 YEAR: 2019 DOI: 10.1029/2019JA027086 electron flux; inner magnetosphere; Pitch angle distribution; Radiation belts; Van Allen Probes |
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We investigate the global distribution and provide empirical models of fast magnetosonic waves using the combined observations by the magnetometer and waveform receiver on board Van Allen Probes. The magnetometer measurements of magnetosonic waves indicate a significant wave power within the frequency range from the helium gyrofrequency to 20 Hz at L >= 4 in the afternoon sector, both inside and outside the plasmapause. The waveform receiver measurements indicate a significant wave power from 20 Hz to the lower hybrid resonance frequency at L <= 5.5 near the dayside outside the plasmapause or in the afternoon sector inside the plasmapause. The sum of the wave powers from the two instruments provides the wave power distribution over the complete frequency range. The most significant root-mean-square wave amplitude of magnetosonic waves is typically 100\textendash200 pT inside or outside the plasmapause with a magnetic local time coverage of 30\textendash50\% during geomagnetically active times when AE* > 500 nT. The magnetosonic wave frequency increases with decreasing L shell following the trend of the proton gyrofrequency outside the plasmapause, indicating a close relation with the local wave generation. Inside the plasmapause, the dependence of wave frequency on L shell is weaker, and the wave frequency is more stable across L shells, indicating the wave propagation effects from the source located at higher L shells. We have performed polynomial fits of the global magnetosonic wave distribution and wave frequency spectra, which are useful in future radiation belt simulations. Ma, Q.; Li, W.; Bortnik, J.; Kletzing, C.; Kurth, W.; Hospodarsky, G.; Wygant, J.; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 12/2019 YEAR: 2019 DOI: 10.1029/2019JA027407 Empirical Fitting; Global Survey; magnetosonic waves; Van Allen Probes; Van Allen Probes observation |
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Excitation of toroidal mode standing Alfv\ en waves in the midnight sector of the inner magnetosphere in association with substorms is well documented, but studies are sparse on dayside sources for the waves. This paper reports observation of midnight toroidal waves by the Van Allen Probe B spacecraft during a geomagnetically quiet period on 12\textemdash13 May 2013. The spacecraft detected toroidal waves excited at odd harmonics below 30 mHz as it moved within the plasmasphere from ~2100 magnetic local time (MLT) to ~0030 MLT through midnight in the dipole L range 4.2\textemdash6.1. The frequencies and the relationship between the electric and magnetic field components of the waves are consistent with theoretical toroidal waves for a reflecting ionosphere. At the time of the nightside toroidal waves, compressional waves were observed by geostationary satellites located on the dayside, and the amplitudes of both types of waves varied with the cone angle of the interplanetary magnetic field. The nightside toroidal waves were likely driven by fast mode waves that resulted from transmission of upstream ultralow frequency waves into the magnetosphere. Ground magnetometers located near the footprint of the spacecraft did not detect toroidal waves. Takahashi, Kazue; Vellante, Massimo; Del Corpo, Alfredo; Claudepierre, Seth; Kletzing, Craig; Wygant, John; Koga, Kiyokazu; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 12/2019 YEAR: 2019 DOI: 10.1029/2019JA027370 Ion foreshock; Nightside magnetosphere; Toroidal Alfven waves; Van Allen Probe; Van Allen Probes |
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On the Observation of Electrostatic Harmonics Associated With EMIC Waves In this study, we report two events of electrostatic harmonics associated with electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves recorded by the Van Allen Probes. Based on the wave and plasma measurements, the wave features are investigated and the possible generation mechanism is discussed. The frequencies of these electrostatic emissions are at the integer and fractional frequencies of the fundamental EMIC waves, which can be across and above the local proton gyrofrequencies. When the frequencies increase, the electric power spectral densities of the electrostatic waves decrease, and their durations become shorter. Considering the bidirectional propagation of the fundamental EMIC waves, we propose that wave-wave resonance probably accounts for the generation of the observed electrostatic emissions. The calculation of cross bicoherence index supports this scenario. This study analyzes a type of electrostatic harmonic wave associated with EMIC waves, essentially different from the electromagnetic harmonics reported before, and provides new insight into the evolution of EMIC waves. Published by: Geophysical Research Letters Published on: 12/2019 YEAR: 2019 DOI: 10.1029/2019GL085528 |