Bibliography
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Found 1109 entries in the Bibliography.
Showing entries from 1 through 50
| 2021 |
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Inter-calibrated Measurements of Intense Whistlers by Arase and Van Allen Probes Abstract Measurements of electromagnetic waves in space plasmas are an important tool for our understanding of physical processes in this environment. Inter-calibration of data from different spacecraft missions is necessary for combining their measurements in empirical models or in case studies. We show results collected during a close conjunction of the Van Allen Probes and Arase spacecraft. The inter-calibration is based on a fortuitous case of common observations of strong whistlers at frequencies between a few hundred hertz and 10 kHz, which are generated by the same lightning strokes and which propagate along very similar paths to the two spacecraft. Measured amplitudes of the magnetic field fluctuations are the same within ∼14\% precision of our analysis, corresponding to 1.2 dB. Currently archived electric field measurements show twice larger amplitudes on Arase compared to Van Allen Probes but they start to match within ∼33\% precision (2.5 dB) once the newest results on the interface of the antennas to the surrounding plasma are included in the calibration procedures. Ray tracing simulations help us to build a consistent scenario of wave propagation to both spacecraft reflected by a successful inter-calibration of the polarization and propagation parameters obtained from multicomponent measurements. We succeed in linking the spacecraft observations to localizations of lightning return strokes by two different ground based networks which independently verify the correctness of the Universal Time tags of waveform measurements by both spacecraft missions, with an uncertainty better than 10 ms. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. Santolik, O.; Miyoshi, Y.; Kolmašová, I.; Matsuda, S.; Hospodarsky, G.; Hartley, D.; Kasahara, Y.; Kojima, H.; Matsuoka, A.; Shinohara, I.; Kurth, W.; Kletzing, C.; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 09/2021 YEAR: 2021 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2021JA029700 calibration of measeurements of electromagnetic waves; Whistlers; ducts; Van Allen Probes |
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Abstract Simultaneous observations from Van Allen Probes (RBSP) in Earth’s outer radiation belt (∼4-6 RE) and Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) in the magnetotail plasma sheet at >20 RE geocentric distance are used to compare relative levels of relativistic electron phase space density (PSD) for constant values of the first adiabatic invariant, M. We present new evidence from two events showing: i) at times, there is sufficient PSD in the central plasma sheet to provide a source of >1 MeV electrons into the outer belt; ii) the most intense levels of relativistic electrons are not accelerated in the solar wind or transported from the inner magnetosphere and thus must be accelerated rapidly (within ∼minutes or less) and efficiently across a broad region of the magnetotail itself; and iii) the highest intensity relativistic electrons observed by MMS were confined within only the central plasma sheet. The answer to the title question here is: yes, it can, however whether Earth’s plasma sheet actually does provide a source of several 100s keV to >1 MeV electrons to the outer belt and how often it does so remain important outstanding questions. Turner, Drew; Cohen, Ian; Michael, Adam; Sorathia, Kareem; Merkin, Slava; Mauk, Barry; Ukhorskiy, Sasha; Murphy, Kyle; Gabrielse, Christine; Boyd, Alexander; Fennell, Joseph; Blake, Bernard; Claudepierre, Seth; Drozdov, Alexander; Jaynes, Allison; Ripoll, Jean-Francois; Reeves, Geoffrey; Published by: Geophysical Research Letters Published on: 09/2021 YEAR: 2021 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2021GL095495 Radiation belts; plasma sheet; Particle acceleration; relativistic electrons; inner magnetosphere; magnetotail; Van Allen Probes |
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A statistical analysis of duration and frequency chirping rate of falling tone chorus AbstractThe duration (τ) and chirping rate (Γ) of whistler mode chorus waves are two of the most important properties to understand chorus generation mechanism and to quantify effects of nonlinear wave particle interactions on radiation belt electron acceleration. In this study, we perform the first statistical analysis of the duration and chirping rate of falling tone chorus elements using Van Allen Probes data.We found that τ increases and Γ decreases with increasing L-shell, although the dependence is weak. The duration from dawnside and dayside have similar distributions, which is a bit longer than those from duskside and nightside. However, Γ has little dependence on MLT. The relation between τ and Γ shows that τ scales with Γ as , supporting one of the previous theoretical models of rising tone chorus in Teng et al.(2017). Our results should provide important insights to deepen our understanding of falling tone chorus excitation. Xie, Yi; Teng, Shangchun; Wu, Yifan; Tao, Xin; Published by: Geophysical Research Letters Published on: 09/2021 YEAR: 2021 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2021GL095349 chorus waves; falling tone; Frequency chirping; Van Allen Probes |
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Abstract We report on the relationship between a pulsating aurora and a relativistic electron microburst using simultaneous observations of ground-based fast auroral imagers with the FIREBIRD-� � CubeSat for the first time. We conducted a detailed analysis of an event on October 8, 2018 and found that the occurrence of the pulsating aurora with internal modulations corresponds to the flux enhancement of electrons with energy ranging from ∼220 keV to >1 MeV detected with Flight Unit 4, one of FIREBIRD’s CubeSat, with a time delay of ∼585 ms. Combining of this time delay result and time of flight model, we suggest that the theory the pulsating aurora and the microburst occur due to the chorus waves at different latitudes along the same field-line by Miyoshi et al. (2020). Kawamura, Miki; Sakanoi, Takeshi; Fukizawa, Mizuki; Miyoshi, Yoshizumi; Hosokawa, Keisuke; Tsuchiya, Fuminori; Katoh, Yuto; Ogawa, Yasunobu; Asamura, Kazushi; Saito, Shinji; Spence, Harlan; Johnson, Arlo; Oyama, Shin’ichiro; Brändström, Urban; Published by: Geophysical Research Letters Published on: 09/2021 YEAR: 2021 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2021GL094494 pulsating aurora; Microbursts; chorus waves; Van Allen Probes |
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Plain Language Summary The plasmasphere is the region filled with cold, dense ionized gas in geospace. The ionized gas mainly consists in protons, helium ions, oxygen ions and electrons, which come from Earth’s ionosphere and fill in magnetic flux tubes. The density distribution of the ionized gas along the flux tube provides important information to understand how the ions and electrons have been supplied from the ionosphere. Many satellites fly in the equatorial plane, hence, do not provide information on the electron density along the field. The RBSP and the Arase satellites have different inclinations and sometimes they simultaneously fly near the equator and off the equator on the same magnetic field line. Using electron densities observed by these satellites during the 7 Sep 2017 storm, we successfully estimated the electron density distribution along of the field lines inside the partially refilled plasmasphere, outside of the plasmasphere and in the tail-like structure called a plume. Obana, Yuki; Miyashita, Yukinaga; Maruyama, Naomi; Shinbori, Atsuki; Nosé, Masahito; Shoji, Masafumi; Kumamoto, Atsushi; Tsuchiya, Fuminori; Matsuda, Shoya; Matsuoka, Ayako; Kasahara, Yoshiya; Miyoshi, Yoshizumi; Shinohara, Iku; Kurth, William; Smith, Charles; MacDowall, Robert; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 09/2021 YEAR: 2021 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2020JA029073 plasmasphere; inner magnetosphere; Arase satellite; Van Allen Probes satellite; simultaneous observation; Geomagnetic storm; Van Allen Probes |
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Quantitative assessment of protons during the solar proton events of September 2017 Abstract We present multi-spacecraft observations of the proton fluxes spanning from 1.5-433 MeV for the largest solar proton event of solar cycle 24, i.e. 7 and 10 September 2017. In September 2017, M5.5 flare on 4 September, X9.3 flare on 6 September and X8.2 flare on 10 September gave rise to solar proton event when observed by near-Earth spacecrafts. On 7 September and 10 September 2017, a strong enhancement in the proton intensities was observed by ACE and WIND at L1 and Van Allen Probes, GOES-15 and POES-19 in the Earth’s inner magnetosphere. Below geosynchronous orbit, Van Allen Probes and POES-19 shows that no significant proton flux was observed with energies 25 MeV on September 4, while the fluxes peaked 3 to 7-times during September 7 and by 25 times during the third proton flux event on 10 September, 2017. Van Allen Probe-A observation shows that the closest distance that solar proton fluxes could approach the Earth is 4.4 for 102.6 MeV energies on September 2017, while lower energy protons i.e. 25 MeV are observed deep up to 3.4 on September 2017. POES-19 observations show that there is no particular MLT dependence of the solar proton flux and is symmetric everywhere at high and low latitudes. The measurements from multiple spacecrafts located in the different regions of the Earth’s magnetosphere show that the increased level of solar proton flux population persisted for 2 days. Thus we quantify the temporal flux variability in terms of -value, energy and MLT. Pandya, Megha; Veenadhari, B.; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 09/2021 YEAR: 2021 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2021JA029458 innermagnetosphere; SEP event; Radiation belt; Proton flux; Van Allen Probes |
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A Statistical Study of Low-Energy Ion Flux Enhancements by EMIC Waves in the Inner Magnetosphere Abstract We have studied the statistical properties of low-energy proton (H+) and helium (He+) ion flux enhancements associated with EMIC waves in the inner magnetosphere using Van Allen Probes data for 2013-2017. We identified 167 low-energy ion flux enhancements when the EMIC waves occurred in a He-band or in a multiple band (H-band and He-band) with strong He-band and weak H-band wave activity and found that most of them occurred from the noon to the premidnight sector near the magnetic equator just inside the plasmapause. Of 167 flux enhancement events, 68 exhibited only He+ flux enhancements, and 99 exhibited both H+ and He+ flux enhancements. The EMIC wave-associated flux enhancement events are mostly energized in the direction perpendicular to the background magnetic field. When both H+ and He+ fluxes are simultaneously enhanced, the H+ flux events have a peak energy distributed in the range of 2-100 eV, and the peak energies of the He+ flux events are distributed in the 2 eV to 600 eV range, implying that the helium ions are more energized than the protons. The peak energies of only He+ flux enhancement without H+ flux enhancement are mostly distributed in a lower energy range, 2-10 eV. The energization of H+ and He+ ions can be explained by a linear plasma flow associated with EMIC waves. We suggest that the wave-associated linear plasma motion is a likely mechanism to explain the observations. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. Lee, Junhyun; Kim, Khan-Hyuk; Lee, Ensang; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 08/2021 YEAR: 2021 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2021JA029793 |
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Electromagnetic characteristics of fast magnetosonic waves in the inner magnetosphere Abstract In evaluating the effects of fast magnetosonic (MS) waves on magnetospheric particles, their magnetic spectra are often obtained from satellite observations, while electric field components are usually derived under the cold plasma approximation. However, such an approximation has not been verified with in situ observations yet. In this paper, we report the electromagnetic characteristic for MS waves in various plasma environments with observations of the Van Allen Probe A. It is found that a considerable number of observed MS waves consist of dominated electrostatic components, which also suggest the importance of inspecting the estimation algorithm for the electric field components. Moreover, the comparison between results from statistical and theoretical analysis shows that electromagnetic characteristics of the observed MS waves can be well predicted by cold plasma theory. Our result indicates the validation of cold plasma approximation to estimate the electric field components of MS waves from their magnetic counterparts in the inner magnetosphere. Yu, Xiongdong; Yuan, Zhigang; Yao, Fei; Ouyang, Zhihai; Wang, Dedong; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 08/2021 YEAR: 2021 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2021JA029759 Fast Magnetosonic Waves; Electromagnetic characteristics; Van Allen Probes; Cold plasma approximation |
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Realistic electron diffusion rates and lifetimes due to scattering by electron holes AbstractPlasma sheet electron precipitation into the diffuse aurora is critical for magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling. Recent studies have shown that electron phase space holes can pitch-angle scatter electrons and may produce plasma sheet electron precipitation. These studies have assumed identical electron hole parameters to estimate electron scattering rates (Vasko et al., 2018). In this study, we have re-evaluated the efficiency of this scattering by incorporating realistic electron hole properties from direct spacecraft observations into computing electron diffusion rates and lifetimes. The most important electron hole properties in this evaluation are their distributions in velocity and spatial scale and electric field root-mean-square intensity (). Using direct measurements of electron holes during a plasma injection event observed by the Van Allen Probe at , we find that when 4 mV/m electron lifetimes can drop below one hour and are mostly within strong diffusion limits at energies below 10 keV. During an injection observed by the THEMIS spacecraft at , electron holes with even typical intensities (1 mV/m) can deplete low-energy (a few keV) plasma sheet electrons within tens of minutes following injections and convection from the tail. Our results confirm that electron holes are a significant contributor to plasma sheet electron precipitation during injections. Shen, Yangyang; Vasko, Ivan; Artemyev, Anton; Malaspina, David; Chu, Xiangning; Angelopoulos, Vassilis; Zhang, Xiao-Jia; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 08/2021 YEAR: 2021 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2021JA029380 diffuse aurora; electron pitch-angle scattering; electron phase space hole; Wave-particle interaction; electron lifetimes; broadband electrostatic fluctuations; Van Allen Probes |
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Trapping and amplification of unguided mode EMIC waves in the radiation belt AbstractElectromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves can cause the scattering loss of the relativistic electrons in the radiation belt. They can be classified into the guided mode and the unguided mode, according to waves propagation behavior. The guided mode waves have been widely investigated in the radiation belt, but the observation of the unguided mode waves have not been expected. Based on the observations of Van Allen Probes, we demonstrate for the first time the existence of the intense unguided L-mode EMIC waves in the radiation belt according to the polarization characteristics. Growth rate analyses indicate that the hot protons with energies of a few hundred keV may provide the free energy for wave growth. The reflection interface formed by the spatial locations of local helium cutoff frequencies can be nearly parallel to the equatorial plane when the proton abundance ratio decreases sharply with -shell. This structure combined with hot protons may lead to the trapping and significant amplification of the unguided mode waves. These results may help to understand the nature of EMIC waves and their dynamics in the radiation belt. Wang, Geng; Gao, Zhonglei; Wu, MingYu; Wang, GuoQiang; Xiao, SuDong; Chen, YuanQiang; Zou, Zhengyang; Zhang, TieLong; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 08/2021 YEAR: 2021 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2021JA029322 EMIC waves; unguided mode; Radiation belt; ion abundance ratios; Wave trapping; growth rate; Van Allen Probes |
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Abstract Magnetosonic (MS) waves and Electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves are important plasma waves in the magnetosphere. Using the Van Allen Probes observations from 2012 to 2017, we constructed the global distribution of simultaneous occurrence of MS and EMIC waves. We found a total of 214 events, and the waves distribute from the noon sector to the duskside. Furthermore, we quantitatively analyze the combined effects of both waves on protons and electrons by calculating of particle diffusion coefficients and 2-D Fokker-Planck diffusion simulations. The simulation results show the combined effects of MS and EMIC waves. High-frequency EMIC waves and intense MS waves at low proton harmonics are essential for the enhanced proton acceleration at several hundred eV and enhanced electron loss at several MeV. Our results provide new sights into understanding the distribution of MS and EMIC waves and evaluating their combined effects on the evolution of energetic particles. Published by: Geophysical Research Letters Published on: 08/2021 YEAR: 2021 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2021GL093885 EMIC waves; MS waves; Wave-particle interaction; diffusion coefficients; Van Allen Probes |
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Abstract Reconstruction and prediction of the state of the near-Earth space environment is important for anomaly analysis, development of empirical models and understanding of physical processes. Accurate reanalysis or predictions that account for uncertainties in the associated model and the observations, can be obtained by means of data assimilation. The ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) is one of the most promising filtering tools for non-linear and high dimensional systems in the context of terrestrial weather prediction. In this study, we adapt traditional ensemble based filtering methods to perform data assimilation in the radiation belts. By performing a fraternal twin experiment, we assess the convergence of the EnKF to the standard Kalman filter (KF). Furthermore, with the split-operator technique, we develop two new three-dimensional EnKF approaches for electron phase space density that account for radial and local processes, and allow for reconstruction of the full 3D radiation belt space. The capabilities and properties of the proposed filter approximations are verified using Van Allen Probe and GOES data. Additionally, we validate the two 3D split-operator Ensemble Kalman filters against the 3D split-operator KF. We show how the use of the split-operator technique allows us to include more physical processes in our simulations and offers computationally efficient data assimilation tools that deliver accurate approximations to the optimal solution of the KF and are suitable for real-time forecasting. Future applications of the EnKF to direct assimilation of fluxes and non-linear estimation of electron lifetimes are discussed. Tibocha, A.; de Wiljes, J.; Shprits, Y; Aseev, N.; Published by: Space Weather Published on: 08/2021 YEAR: 2021 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2020SW002672 Kalman Filter; Ensemble Kalman filter; forecasting; Van Allen Probes |
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PreMevE Update: Forecasting Ultra-relativistic Electrons inside Earth’s Outer Radiation Belt Abstract Energetic electrons inside Earth’s Van Allen belts pose a major radiation threat to space-borne electronics that often play vital roles in modern society. Ultra-relativistic electrons with energies greater than or equal to two Megaelectron-volt (MeV) are of particular interest, and thus forecasting these ≥2 MeV electrons has significant meaning to all space sectors. Here we update the latest development of the predictive model for MeV electrons in the outer radiation belt. The new version, called PreMevE-2E, forecasts ultra-relativistic electron flux distributions across the outer belt, with no need for in-situ measurements of the trapped MeV electron population except at geosynchronous (GEO) orbit. Model inputs include precipitating electrons observed in low-Earth-orbits by NOAA satellites, upstream solar wind speeds and densities from solar wind monitors, as well as ultra-relativistic electrons measured by one Los Alamos GEO satellite. We evaluated 32 supervised machine learning models that fall into four different classes of linear and neural network architectures, and successfully tested ensemble forecasting by using groups of top-performing models. All models are individually trained, validated, and tested by in-situ electron data from NASA’s Van Allen Probes mission. It is shown that the final ensemble model outperforms individual models at most L-shells, and this PreMevE-2E model can provide 25-hr (∼1-day) and 50-hr (∼2-day) forecasts with high mean performance efficiency and correlation values. Our results also suggest this new model is dominated by nonlinear components at L-shells < ∼4 for ultra-relativistic electrons, different from the dominance of linear components for 1 MeV electrons as previously discovered. Sinha, Saurabh; Chen, Yue; Lin, Youzuo; de Lima, Rafael; Published by: Space Weather Published on: 08/2021 YEAR: 2021 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2021SW002773 Supervised Machine Learning; Van Allen electron radiation belt; Predicting ultra-relativistic electrons; Van Allen Probes |
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Abstract The plasma mass loading of the terrestrial equatorial inner magnetosphere is a key determinant of the characteristics and propagation of ULF waves. Electron number density is also an important factor for other types of waves such as chorus, hiss and EMIC waves. In this paper, we use Van Allen Probe data from September 2012 to February 2019 to create average models of electron densities and average ion mass in the plasmasphere and plasmatrough, near the Earth’s magnetic equator. These models are combined to provide an estimate of the most probable plasma mass density in the equatorial region. We then use machine learning to form a set of models which are parameterized by the SuperMAG ring current index (SMR) based on the design of the average models. The resulting set of models are capable of predicting the average ion mass, electron density and plasma mass density in the range and over all MLT sectors during a range of conditions where nT. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. James, Matthew; Yeoman, Tim; Jones, Petra; Sandhu, Jasmine; Goldstein, Jerry; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 08/2021 YEAR: 2021 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2021JA029565 |
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Global Survey of Electron Precipitation due to Hiss Waves in the Earth s Plasmasphere and Plumes Abstract We present a global survey of energetic electron precipitation from the equatorial magnetosphere due to hiss waves in the plasmasphere and plumes. Using Van Allen Probes measurements, we calculate the pitch angle diffusion coefficients at the bounce loss cone, and evaluate the energy spectrum of precipitating electron flux. Our ∼6.5-year survey shows that, during disturbed times, hiss inside the plasmasphere primarily causes the electron precipitation at L > 4 over 8 h < MLT < 18 h, and hiss waves in plumes cause the precipitation at L > 5 over 8 h < MLT < 14 h and L > 4 over 14 h < MLT < 20 h. The precipitating energy flux increases with increasing geomagnetic activity, and is typically higher in the plasmaspheric plume than the plasmasphere. The characteristic energy of precipitation increases from ∼20 keV at L = 6 to ∼100 keV at L = 3, potentially causing the loss of electrons at several hundred keV. Ma, Q.; Li, W.; Zhang, X.-J.; Bortnik, J.; Shen, X.-C.; Connor, H.; Boyd, A.; Kurth, W.; Hospodarsky, G.; Claudepierre, S.; Reeves, G.; Spence, H.; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 07/2021 YEAR: 2021 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2021JA029644 electron precipitation; hiss wave; plasmasphere; plasmaspheric plume; Precipitating Energy Flux; Van Allen Probes Survey; Van Allen Probes |
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Superposed Epoch Analysis of Dispersionless Particle Injections Inside Geosynchronous Orbit AbstractDispersionless injections, involving sudden, simultaneous flux enhancements of energetic particles over some broad range of energy, are a characteristic signature of the particles that are experiencing a significant acceleration and/or rapid inward transport at the leading edge of injections. We have statistically analyzed data from Van Allen Probes (also known as RBSP ) to reveal where the proton (H+) and electron (e–) dispersionless injections occur preferentially inside geosynchronous orbit and how they develop depending on local magnetic field changes. By surveying measurements of RBSP during four tail seasons in 2012–2019, we have identified 171 dispersionless injection events. Most of the events, which are accompanied by local magnetic dipolarizations, occur in the dusk-to-midnight sector, regardless of particle species. Out of the selected 171 events, 75 events exhibit dispersionless injections of both H+ and e–, which occur within 2 minutes of each other. With only three exceptions, the both-species injection events are further divided into two main subgroups: One is the H+ preceding e– events with a time offset of tens of seconds between H+ and e–, and the other the concurrent H+ and e– events without any time offset. Our superposed epoch results raise the intriguing possibility that the presence or absence of a pronounced negative dip in the local magnetic field ahead of the concurrent sharp dipolarization determines which of the two subgroups will occur. The difference between the two subgroups may be explained in terms of the dawn-dusk asymmetry of localized diamagnetic perturbations ahead of a deeply-penetrating dipolarization front.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. Motoba, T.; Ohtani, S.; Gkioulidou, M.; Ukhorskiy, A; Lanzerotti, L.; Claudepierre, S.; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 07/2021 YEAR: 2021 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2021JA029546 Dispersionless injections; substorms; inner magnetosphere; Van Allen Probes |
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Observational evidence of the excitation of magnetosonic waves by an He ion ring distribution Abstract We report plasma wave observations of equatorial magnetosonic waves at integer harmonics of the local gyrofrequency of doubly-ionized helium (He). The waves were observed by Van Allen Probe A on 08 Feb 2014 when the spacecraft was in the afternoon magnetic local time sector near inside of the plasmasphere. Analysis of the complementary in-situ energetic ion measurements (1-300 keV) reveals the presence of a helium ion ring distribution centered near 30 keV. Theoretical linear growth rate calculations suggest that the local plasma and field conditions can support the excitation of the magnetosonic waves from the unstable ring distribution. This represents the first report of the generation of magnetosonic equatorial noise via a ring distribution in energetic He ions in the near-Earth space plasma environment. Claudepierre, S.; Liu, X.; Chen, L.; Takahashi, K.; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 07/2021 YEAR: 2021 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2021JA029532 magnetosonic waves; ion Bernstein waves; ring distribution; alpha particles; Plasma instability; ring current; Van Allen Probes |
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Abstract The coupling response between solar wind structures and the magnetosphere is highly complex, leading to different effects in the outer radiation belt electron fluxes. Most Coronal Mass Ejections cause strong geomagnetic storms with short recovery phases, often 1-2 days. By contrast, High-Speed Solar Wind Streams lead to moderate and weak storms often with much longer recovery phases, from several to ∼10 days. The magnetosphere receives energy for a long time under the influence of the HSSs, considerably changing its dynamics. This in turn has an effect on the charged particles trapped in the outer radiation belt. Although the high-energy electron flux enhancements have received considerable attention, the high-energy electron flux enhancement pattern (L > 4) has not. This paper identifies 37 events with this enhancement pattern in the high-energy electron flux during the Van Allen Probes era. We find the enhancements coincident with HSS occurrence. The interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) exhibits north/south Bz fluctuations of Alfvénic nature with moderate amplitudes. The high-energy electron flux enhancements also correspond to long periods of auroral activity indicating a relationship to magnetotail dynamics. However, the AE index only reaches moderate values. Ultra-Low Frequency waves were present in all of the events and whistler-mode chorus waves were present in 89.1\% of the events, providing a convenient scenario for wave-particle interactions. The radial gradient of the ULF wave power related to the L, under the influence of the HSSs, is necessary to trigger the physical processes responsible for this type of high-energy electron flux enhancement pattern. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. Da Silva, L.; Shi, J.; Alves, L.; Sibeck, D.; Marchezi, J.; Medeiros, C.; Vieira, L.; Agapitov, O.; Cardoso, F.; Souza, V.; Dal Lago, A.; Jauer, P.; Wang, C.; Li, H.; Liu, Z.; Alves, M.; Rockenbach, M.; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 07/2021 YEAR: 2021 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2021JA029363 outer radiation belt; high-energy electron flux; high speed solar wind stream; ultra low frequency waves; whistler-mode chorus waves; Electron flux enhancement; Van Allen Probes |
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ULF-modulation of whistler-mode waves in the inner magnetosphere during solar wind compression Abstract The solar wind plays important roles on terrestrial magnetosphere dynamics, including the particle population and plasma waves generation. Here we report an interesting event that ULF waves are enhanced right after solar wind compression and the compressional mode ULF wave subsequently modulates both the intensity and energy flux direction of whistler-mode waves. Quasi-periodic whistler-mode wave packets are observed around L=5.6 at noon sector by Van Allen Probes. Growth rate calculation demonstrates that the compressional mode ULF wave can modulate the whistler-mode wave intensity by modulating the energetic electron anisotropy. Moreover, the direction of wave energy flux is observed to alternate between northward and southward at equator, which is probably because the intense ULF waves periodically alter the relative direction of the wave source region respect to the spacecraft. The current results provide a chain of observational evidences to illustrate how the generation and propagation of whistler-mode waves in the inner magnetosphere are affected by ULF waves during the solar wind dynamic pressure enhancement. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. Shang, Xiongjun; Liu, Si; Chen, Lunjin; Gao, Zhonglei; Wang, Geng; He, Qian; Li, Tong; Xiao, Fuliang; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 07/2021 YEAR: 2021 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2021JA029353 |
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Abstract Radiation belt electrons undergo frequent acceleration, transport, and loss processes under various physical mechanisms. One of the most prevalent mechanisms is radial diffusion, caused by the resonant interactions between energetic electrons and ULF waves in the Pc4-5 band. An indication of this resonant interaction is believed to be the appearance of periodic flux oscillations. In this study, we report long-lasting, drift-periodic flux oscillations of relativistic and ultrarelativistic electrons with energies up to ∼7.7 MeV in the outer radiation belt, observed by the Van Allen Probes mission. During this March 2017 event, multi-MeV electron flux oscillations at the electron drift frequency appeared coincidently with enhanced Pc5 ULF wave activity and lasted for over 10 hours in the center of the outer belt. The amplitude of such flux oscillations is well correlated with the radial gradient of electron phase space density (PSD), with almost no oscillation observed near the PSD peak. The temporal evolution of the PSD radial profile also suggests the dominant role of radial diffusion in multi-MeV electron dynamics during this event. By combining these observations, we conclude that these multi-MeV electron flux oscillations are caused by the resonant interactions between electrons and broadband Pc5 ULF waves and are an indicator of the ongoing radial diffusion process during this event. They contain essential information of radial diffusion and have the potential to be further used to quantify the radial diffusion effects and aid in a better understanding of this prevailing mechanism. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. Zhao, Hong; Sarris, Theodore; Li, Xinlin; Weiner, Max; Huckabee, Isabela; Baker, Daniel; Jaynes, Allison; Kanekal, Shrikanth; Elkington, Scot; Barani, Mohammad; Tu, Weichao; Liu, Wenlong; Zhang, Dianjun; Hartinger, Michael; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 07/2021 YEAR: 2021 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2021JA029284 Radiation belt; multi-MeV electrons; radial diffusion; ULF waves; Wave-particle interaction; Phase space density radial gradient; Van Allen Probes |
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Abstract Here we perform a statistical analysis of low frequency ultra-low-frequency (ULF) waves (mHz-Hz) in the Earth’s inner magnetosphere excluding electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves concurrently observed. We use the magnetic field data from the two Van Allen Probes during their first magnetic local time (MLT) revolution that cover the periods of coronal mass ejections. The major results of our analysis are as follows. (1) Spectra of both the transverse and compressional ULF waves are well approximated by the power-laws in the mHz-Hz frequency range. (2) There are two sources of the low frequency ULF waves: an internal magnetospheric source and an external source outside of the magnetosphere. (3) The average transverse power in the 6-24 hr MLT sector dominates that in the 0-6 hr sector, whereas the compressional power in the 12-24 hr sector dominates that in the 0-12 hr sector. (4) The average powers of transverse and compressional ULF waves in the plasmasphere dominate the average powers in the high L shell region of , and there is a deep power minimum in the intermediary region of . (5) The compressional ULF wave power has a maximum in the near equatorial region, whereas the transverse power has a minimum there. (6) A wave energy cascade from low frequency ULF waves into the higher frequency range of EMIC waves (Hz) supplies the nonthermal seed fluctuations from which EMIC waves can then grow due to instabilities of the energetic magnetospheric ions. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. Gamayunov, Konstantin; Engebretson, Mark; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 07/2021 YEAR: 2021 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2021JA029247 coronal mass ejection; low frequency ULF waves; Earth s inner magnetosphere; statistics of ULF waves; turbulent energy cascade; seeding of EMIC waves; Van Allen Probes |
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Direct evidence reveals transmitter signal propagation in the magnetosphere AbstractSignals from very-low-frequency transmitters on the ground are known to induce energetic electron precipitation from the Earth’s radiation belts. The effectiveness of this mechanism depends on the propagation characteristics of those signals in the magnetosphere, and in particular whether the signals are ducted or nonducted along channels of enhanced plasma density, analogous to optical fibres. Here we perform a statistical analysis of in-situ waveform data collected by the Van Allen Probes satellites that shows that nonducted propagation dominates over ducted propagation in both the occurrence and intensity of the waves. Ray tracing confirms that the latitudinal distribution of wavevectors corresponds to nonducted as opposed to ducted propagation. Our results show the dominant mode of propagation needed to quantify transmitter-induced precipitation and improve the forecast of electron radiation belt dynamics for the safe operation of satellites. Gu, Wenyao; Chen, Lunjin; Xia, Zhiyang; Horne, Richard; Published by: Geophysical Research Letters Published on: 07/2021 YEAR: 2021 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2021GL093987 VLF transmitters; ducted propagation; nonducted propagation; Magnetosphere; Van Allen Probes |
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Abstract Density irregularities near the plasmapause are commonly observed and play an important role in whistler-mode wave excitation and propagation. In this study, we report a frequency-dependent modulation event of whistler-mode waves by background density irregularities during a geomagnetic storm. Higher-frequency whistler waves (near 0.5 fce, where fce is the equatorial electron cyclotron frequency) are trapped in the density trough regions due to the small refractive index near the parallel direction, while lower-frequency whistler waves (below 0.02 fce) are trapped in the density crest regions due to the refractive index maximum along the parallel direction. In addition to the modulation, we also find that, quantitatively, the wave amplitude of the higher- (lower-) frequency whistler-mode waves is anti-correlated (correlated) with the relative plasma density variation. Our study suggests the importance of density irregularity dynamics in controlling whistler-mode wave intensity, and thus radiation belt dynamics. Liu, Xu; Gu, Wenyao; Xia, Zhiyang; Chen, Lunjin; Horne, Richard; Published by: Geophysical Research Letters Published on: 07/2021 YEAR: 2021 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2021GL093095 |
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A Comparison of Radial Diffusion Coefficients in 1-D and 3-D Long-Term Radiation Belt Simulations AbstractRadial diffusion is one of the dominant physical mechanisms driving acceleration and loss of radiation belt electrons. A number of parameterizations for radial diffusion coefficients have been developed, each differing in the dataset used. Here, we investigate the performance of different parameterizations by Brautigam and Albert (2000), Brautigam et al. (2005), Ozeke et al. (2014), Ali et al. (2015); Ali et al. (2016); Ali (2016), and Liu et al. (2016) on long-term radiation belt modeling using the Versatile Electron Radiation Belt (VERB) code, and compare the results to Van Allen Probes observations. First, 1-D radial diffusion simulations are performed, isolating the contribution of solely radial diffusion. We then take into account effects of local acceleration and loss showing additional 3-D simulations, including diffusion across pitch-angle, energy, and mixed diffusion. For the L* range studied, the difference between simulations with Brautigam and Albert (2000), Ozeke et al. (2014), and Liu et al. (2016) parameterizations is shown to be small, with Brautigam and Albert (2000) offering the smallest averaged (across multiple energies) absolute normalized difference with observations. Using the Ali et al. (2016) parameterization tended to result in a lower flux than both the observations and the VERB simulations using the other coefficients. We find that the 3-D simulations are less sensitive to the radial diffusion coefficient chosen than the 1-D simulations, suggesting that for 3-D radiation belt models, a similar result is likely to be achieved, regardless of whether Brautigam and Albert (2000), Ozeke et al. (2014), and Liu et al. (2016) parameterizations are used.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. Drozdov, A; Allison, H.; Shprits, Y; Elkington, S.R.; Aseev, N.A.; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 07/2021 YEAR: 2021 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2020JA028707 Radiation belts; radial diffusion; VERB code; Van Allen Probes |
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The effect of non-storm time substorms on the ring current dynamics Abstract During geomagnetically active times such as geomagnetic storms, large amounts of energy can be released into the Earth’s magnetosphere and change the ring current intensity. Previous studies showed that significant enhancement of the ring current was related to geomagnetic storms, while few studies have examined substorm effects on ring current dynamics. In this study, we examine the ring current variation during non-storm time (SYM-H > −50 nT) substorms, especially during super-substorms ( AE > 1000 nT). We perform a statistical analysis of ring current plasma pressure and number flux of various ion species under different substorm conditions, based on Van Allen Probe observations. The plasma pressure and ion fluxes of the ring current increased dramatically during super-substorms, while little change was observed for substorms with AE < 1000 nT. The results shown in this study indicate that a non-storm time super-substorm may also have a significant contribution to the ring current. Jang, Eunjin; Yue, Chao; Zong, Qiugang; Fu, Suiyan; Fu, HaoBo; Published by: Earth and Planetary Physics Published on: 06/2021 YEAR: 2021 DOI: https://doi.org/10.26464/epp2021032 |
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Electromagnetic power of lightning superbolts from Earth to space Lightning superbolts are the most powerful and rare lightning events with intense optical emission, first identified from space. Superbolt events occurred in 2010-2018 could be localized by extracting the high energy tail of the lightning stroke signals measured by the very low frequency ground stations of the World-Wide Lightning Location Network. Here, we report electromagnetic observations of superbolts from space using Van Allen Probes satellite measurements, and ground measurements, and with two events measured both from ground and space. From burst-triggered measurements, we compute electric and magnetic power spectral density for very low frequency waves driven by superbolts, both on Earth and transmitted into space, demonstrating that superbolts transmit 10-1000 times more powerful very low frequency waves into space than typical strokes and revealing that their extreme nature is observed in space. We find several properties of superbolts that notably differ from most lightning flashes; a more symmetric first ground-wave peak due to a longer rise time, larger peak current, weaker decay of electromagnetic power density in space with distance, and a power mostly confined in the very low frequency range. Their signal is absent in space during day times and is received with a long-time delay on the Van Allen Probes. These results have implications for our understanding of lightning and superbolts, for ionosphere-magnetosphere wave transmission, wave propagation in space, and remote sensing of extreme events. Ripoll, J.-F.; Farges, T.; Malaspina, D.; Cunningham, G.; Lay, E.; Hospodarsky, G.; Kletzing, C.; Wygant, J.; Published by: Nature Communications Published on: 06/2021 YEAR: 2021 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-23740-6 |
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The Roles of the Magnetopause and Plasmapause in Storm-Time ULF Wave Power Enhancements Abstract Ultra Low Frequency (ULF) waves play a crucial role in transporting and coupling energy within the magnetosphere. During geomagnetic storms, dayside magnetospheric ULF wave power is highly variable with strong enhancements that are dominated by elevated solar wind driving. However, the radial distribution of ULF wave power is complex - controlled interdependently by external solar wind driving and the internal magnetospheric structuring. We conducted a statistical analysis of observed storm-time ULF wave power from the Van Allen Probes spacecraft within 2012 - 2016. Focusing on the dayside (06 < Magnetic Local Time ≤ 15), we observe large enhancements across 3 < L < 6 and a steep L dependence during the main phase. We consider how accounting for concurrent magnetopause and plasmapause locations may reduce statistical variability and improve parameterisation of spatial trends over and above using the L value. Ordering storm time ULF wave power by L provides the weakest dependences from those considered, whereas ordering by distance from the magnetopause is more effective. We also explore dependences on local plasma density and find that spatially localised ULF wave power enhancements are confined within high density patches in the afternoon sector (likely plasmaspheric plumes). The results have critical implications for empirical models of ULF wave power and radial diffusion coefficients. We highlight the necessity of improved characterisation of the highly distorted storm-time cold plasma density distribution, in order to more accurately predict ULF wave power. Sandhu, J.; Rae, I.; Staples, F.; Hartley, D.; Walach, M.-T.; Elsden, T.; Murphy, K.; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 06/2021 YEAR: 2021 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2021JA029337 ULF waves; Geomagnetic storms; Van Allen Probes; radial diffusion; inner magnetosphere; plasmasphere |
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The Characteristics of Three-belt Structure of Sub-MeV Electrons in the Radiation Belts Abstract After the launch of Van Allen Probes, the three-belt structures of ultra-relativistic electrons are discovered. In this study, we investigate the three-belt structures of sub-MeV electrons, which may form under different mechanism compared with those of ultra-relativistic electrons and are worth in-depth analysis. Based on the differential flux data from MagEIS onboard RBSP-B satellite, we find 54 events, in which two comparable peaks of sub-MeV electron fluxes and a slot appear where there should be the outer radiation belt. Through the statistical analysis, the three-belt structures of sub-MeV electrons are found to be closely related to SYM-H and AE indices. The 2-day SYM-H minimum and AE maximum before the event have a linear trend with the remnant belt and the “second slot” locations. The L values of the remnant belt and the “second slot” of different energy electrons decrease as energy increases in general and show interesting characteristics during their temporal evolution. Moreover, the lifetime of the remnant belt of different energy electrons increases as energy increases. We find similarities and differences between sub-MeV and ultra-relativistic electrons three-belt events, which provides a new perspective in three-belt structure study. Li, Yu-Xuan; Yue, Chao; Hao, Yi-Xin; Zong, Qiu-Gang; Zhou, Xu-Zhi; Fu, Sui-Yan; Chen, Xing-Ran; Zhao, Xing-Xin; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 06/2021 YEAR: 2021 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2021JA029385 |
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Abstract We present a comparison of magnetospheric plasma mass/electron density observations during an 11-day interval which includes the geomagnetic storm of 22 June 2015. For this study we used: equatorial plasma mass density derived from geomagnetic field line resonances (FLRs) detected by Van Allen Probes and at the ground-based magnetometer networks EMMA and CARISMA; in situ electron density inferred by the Neural-network-based Upper hybrid Resonance Determination algorithm applied to plasma wave Van Allen Probes measurements. The combined observations at L ∼ 4, MLT ∼ 16 of the two longitudinally-separated magnetometer networks show a temporal pattern very similar to that of the in situ observations: a density decrease by an order of magnitude about 1 day after the Dst minimum, a partial recovery a few hours later, and a new strong decrease soon after. The observations are consistent with the position of the measurement points with respect to the plasmasphere boundary as derived by a plasmapause test particle simulation. A comparison between plasma mass densities derived from ground and in situ FLR observations during favourable conjunctions shows a good agreement. We find however, for L < ∼3, the spacecraft measurements to be higher than the corresponding ground observations with increasing deviation with decreasing L, which might be related to the rapid outbound spacecraft motion in that region. A statistical analysis of the average ion mass using simultaneous spacecraft measurements of mass and electron density indicates values close to 1 amu in plasmasphere and higher values (∼ 2-3 amu) in plasmatrough. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. Vellante, M.; Takahashi, K.; Del Corpo, A.; Zhelavskaya, I.; Goldstein, J.; Mann, I.; Pietropaolo, E.; Reda, J.; Heilig, B.; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 06/2021 YEAR: 2021 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2021JA029292 magnetoseismology; plasmasphere; Field line resonance; ground-based magnetometers; Van Allen Probes; Swarm satellites |
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Solar Energetic Proton Access to the Inner Magnetosphere during the 7-8 September 2017 event Abstract The access of solar energetic protons into the inner magnetosphere on 7-8 September 2017 is investigated by following reversed proton trajectories to compute the proton cutoff energy using the Dartmouth geomagnetic cutoff code [Kress et al., 2010]. The cutoff energies for protons coming from the west and east direction, the minimum and maximum cutoff energy respectively, are calculated every five minutes along the orbit of Van Allen Probes using TS07 and the Lyon-Fedder-Mobarry (LFM) MHD magnetic field model. The result shows that the cutoff energy increases significantly as the radial distance decreases, and that the cutoff energy decreases with the building up of the ring current during magnetic storms. Solar wind dynamic pressure also affects cutoff suppression [Kress et al., 2004]. The LFM-RCM model shows stronger suppression of cutoff energy than TS07 during strong solar wind driving conditions. The simulation result is compared with proton flux measurements, showing consistent variation of the cutoff location during the 7-8 September 2017 geomagnetic storm. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. Li, Zhao; Engel, Miles; Hudson, Mary; Kress, Brian; Patel, Maulik; Qin, Murong; Selesnick, Richard; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 06/2021 YEAR: 2021 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2021JA029107 |
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Statistics of Magnetosonic Waves in the Slot Region Observed by Van Allen Probes Abstract We perform a statistical analysis of magnetosonic waves in the slot region based on Van Allen Probes observations from September 2012 to February 2018. Our results demonstrate that the wave occurrence rate increases with enhanced geomagnetic activity and decreasing magnetic latitude, with the presence of strongest slot region magnetosonic waves near the geomagnetic equator within the 08-20 MLT sector. Power spectral densities of slot region magnetosonic waves also intensify during geomagnetically active times, with the occurrence of the major wave power (＞∼10-5nT2/Hz) below ∼25fcp (where fcp is the proton gyrofrequency) and the peak wave intensity (∼10-3nT2/Hz) below ∼5fcp at L＞∼2.6. A remarkable gap in the magnetosonic wave frequency spectrum is also revealed at < ∼15fcp during weak substorm activities (AE 300nT). Yan, Ling; Cao, Xing; Hua, Man; Ni, Binbin; Zhang, Yuannong; Published by: Geophysical Research Letters Published on: 06/2021 YEAR: 2021 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2021GL094015 magnetosonic waves; Slot region; Statistical distribution; Van Allen Probes |
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The Link between Wedge-like and Nose-like Ion Spectral Structures in the Inner Magnetosphere AbstractThe wedge-like and nose-like ion spectral structures, named after their characteristic shapes in the energy-time spectrograms, appear to be distinctively different structures in the Earth s inner magnetosphere. Here we present a case study with conjugate observations from the Arase spacecraft and the twin Van Allen Probes on July 1 and 2, 2017, which displayed the characteristic signatures of the wedge-like and nose-like ion structures, respectively. When the spacecraft nearly intersected at L =2.8, the two structures overlapped with enhanced ion fluxes in the energy range of 1-10 keV. These observations suggest that the wedge-like and nose-like spectral signatures are merely the manifestations of one single structure along different spacecraft trajectories. This finding is further validated by the reproduction of both structures from a particle-tracing model, which also indicates their formation processes associated with the intermittent substorm injections in the nightside magnetosphere. Ren, Jie; Zhou, Xu-Zhi; Zong, Qiu-Gang; Yue, Chao; Fu, Sui-Yan; Miyoshi, Y.; Zhang, Xiao-Xin; Asamura, K.; Shinohara, I.; Published by: Geophysical Research Letters Published on: 06/2021 YEAR: 2021 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2021GL093930 |
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Evening side EMIC waves and related proton precipitation induced by a substorm Abstract We present the results of a multi-point and multi-instrument study of EMIC waves and related energetic proton precipitation during a substorm. We analyze the data from Arase (ERG) and Van Allen Probes (VAP) A and B spacecraft for an event of 16-17 UT on 01 December 2018. VAP-A detected an almost dispersionless injection of energetic protons related to the substorm onset in the night sector. Then the proton injection was detected by VAP-B and further by Arase, as a dispersive enhancement of energetic proton flux. The proton flux enhancement at every spacecraft coincided with the EMIC wave enhancement or appearance. This data shows the excitation of EMIC waves first inside an expanding substorm wedge and then by a drifting cloud of injected protons. Low-orbiting NOAA/POES and MetOp satellites observed precipitation of energetic protons nearly conjugate with the EMIC wave observations in the magnetosphere. The proton pitch-angle diffusion coefficient and the strong diffusion regime index were calculated based on the observed wave, plasma and magnetic field parameters. The diffusion coefficient reaches a maximum at energies corresponding well to the energy range of the observed proton precipitation. The diffusion coefficient values indicated the strong diffusion regime, in agreement with the equality of the trapped and precipitating proton flux at the low-Earth orbit. The growth rate calculations based on the plasma and magnetic field data from both VAP and Arase spacecraft indicated that the detected EMIC waves could be generated in the region of their observation or in its close vicinity. Yahnin, A.; Popova, T.; Demekhov, A.; Lubchich, A.; Matsuoka, A.; Asamura, K.; Miyoshi, Y.; Yokota, S.; Kasahara, S.; Keika, K.; Hori, T.; Tsuchiya, F.; Kumamoto, A.; Kasahara, Y.; Shoji, M.; Kasaba, Y.; Nakamura, S.; Shinohara, I.; Kim, H.; Noh, S.; Raita, T.; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 06/2021 YEAR: 2021 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2020JA029091 |
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Abstract Three new methods for estimating a ratio of the ultra-low frequency (ULF; 1–100 mHz) wave equatorial electric field amplitude in the Earth’s magnetosphere to ground magnetic field amplitudes for field line resonances are described. These methods use ratios of the time series extrema, ratios of the envelope waveform and the ratio of the spectral amplitude at the field line resonance frequency. These methods were applied to four ULF resonance intervals; three detected by the Van Allen Probe A spacecraft and one detected by the POLAR spacecraft. The intervals were conjoined with the CARISMA and IMAGE ground magnetometer arrays. The spectral ratio results for the Van Allen Probe intervals were approximately twice to three times the ratios estimated from the two time series based methods. The POLAR interval showed similar values across all three methods. The differences are attributed to broad-band frequency signals that modify the time series amplitudes, while the spectral method avoids these off-resonant frequencies. Based on the results of this study, a spectral based method for calculating the ratio at the field line resonance frequency is best. Warden, L.; Waters, C.; Sciffer, M.; Hull, A.; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 06/2021 YEAR: 2021 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2020JA029052 remote sensing; ULF plasma waves; Van Allen Probes; estimation; equatorial electric fields |
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AbstractThe spatial scales of whistler-mode waves, determined by their generation process, propagation, and damping, are important for assessing the scaling and efficiency of wave-particle interactions affecting the dynamics of the radiation belts. We use multi-point wave measurements in 2013-2019 by two identically equipped Van Allen Probes spacecraft covering all MLTs at L=2-6 near the geomagnetic equator to investigate the spatial extent of active regions of chorus and hiss waves, their wave amplitude distribution in the source/generation region, and the scales of chorus wave packets, employing a time-domain correlation technique to the spacecraft approaches closer than 1000 km, which happened every 70 days in 2012-2018 and every 35 days in 2018-2019. The correlation of chorus wave power dynamics using two spacecraft measurements is found to remain significant up to inter-spacecraft separations of 400 km to 750 km transverse to the background magnetic field direction, consistent with previous estimates of the chorus wave packet extent, but indicating the likely presence of two different scales of about 400 km and 750 km. Our results further suggest that the chorus source region can be slightly asymmetrical, more elongated in either the azimuthal or radial direction, which could also explain the aforementioned two different scales. An analysis of average chorus and hiss wave amplitudes at separate locations similarly reveals different radial and azimuthal extents of the corresponding wave active regions, complementing previous results based on THEMIS spacecraft statistics mainly at larger L>6. Both the chorus source region scale and the chorus active region size appear smaller inside the outer radiation belt (at L< 6) than at higher L-shells.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. Agapitov, O.; Mourenas, D.; Artemyev, A.; Breneman, A.; Bonnell, J.W.; Hospodarsky, G.; Wygant, J.; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 06/2021 YEAR: 2021 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2020JA028998 chorus waves; chorus genration; Radiation belts; Van Allen Probes |
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Abstract Following the end of the Van Allen Probes mission, the Arase satellite offers a unique opportunity to continue in-situ radiation belt and ring current particle measurements into the next solar cycle. In this study we compare spin-averaged flux measurements from the MEPe, HEP-L, HEP-H, and XEP-SSD instruments on Arase with those from the MagEIS and REPT instruments on the Van Allen Probes, calculating Pearson correlation coefficient and the mean ratio of fluxes at L* conjunctions between the spacecraft. Arase and Van Allen Probes measurements show a close agreement over a wide range of energies, observing a similar general evolution of electron flux, as well as average, peak, and minimum values. Measurements from the two missions agree especially well in the 3.6 ≤ L* ≤ 4.4 range where Arase samples similar magnetic latitudes to Van Allen Probes. Arase tends to record higher flux for energies < 670 keV with longer decay times after flux enhancements, particularly for L* < 3.6 . Conversely, for energies > 1.4 MeV, Arase flux measurements are generally lower than those of Van Allen Probes, especially for L* > 4.4 . The correlation coefficient values show that the > 1.4 MeV flux from both missions are well correlated, indicating a similar general evolution, although flux magnitudes differ. We perform a preliminary intercalibration between the two missions using the mean ratio of the fluxes as an energy- and L*- dependent intercalibration factor. The intercalibration factor improves agreement between the fluxes in the 0.58-1 MeV range. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. Szabó-Roberts, Mátyás; Shprits, Yuri; Allison, Hayley; Vasile, Ruggero; Smirnov, Artem; Aseev, Nikita; Drozdov, Alexander; Miyoshi, Yoshizumi; Claudepierre, Seth; Kasahara, Satoshi; Yokota, Shoichiro; Mitani, Takefumi; Takashima, Takeshi; Higashio, Nana; Hori, Tomo; Keika, Kunihiro; Imajo, Shun; Shinohara, Iku; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 06/2021 YEAR: 2021 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2020JA028929 |
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Abstract Equatorial magnetosonic waves, together with chorus and plasmaspheric hiss, play key roles in the dynamics of energetic electron fluxes in the magnetosphere. Numerical models, developed following a first principles approach, that are used to study the evolution of high energy electron fluxes are mainly based on quasilinear diffusion. The application of such numerical codes requires statistical models for the distribution of key magnetospheric wave modes to estimate the appropriate diffusion coefficients. These waves are generally statistically modelled as a function of spatial location and geomagnetic indices (e.g. AE, Kp, or Dst). This study presents a novel dynamic spatiotemporal model for equatorial magnetosonic (EMS) wave amplitude, developed using the Nonlinear AutoRegressive Moving Average eXogenous (NARMAX) machine learning approach. The EMS wave amplitude, measured by the Van Allen Probes, are modelled using the time lags of the solar wind and geomagnetic indices as inputs as well as the location at which the measurement is made. The resulting model performance is assessed on a separate Van Allen Probes dataset, where the prediction efficiency was found to be 34.0\% and the correlation coefficient was 56.9\%. With more training and validation data the performance metrics could potentially be improved, however, it is also possible that the EMS wave distribution is affected by stochastic factors and the performance metrics obtained for this model are close to the potential maximum. Boynton, R.; Walker, S.; Aryan, H.; Hobara, Y.; Balikhin, M.; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 06/2021 YEAR: 2021 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2020JA028439 magnetosonic waves; Machine learning; NARMAX; Van Allen Probes |
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Observation of unusual chorus elements by Van Allen Probes AbstractWhistler mode chorus waves play an important role in the radiation belt dynamics, which usually appear as discrete elements with frequency sweeping. Finer structure analysis shows that a chorus element is composed of several frequency-sweeping subelements, and such two-level structures can be successfully reproduced by modeling based on nonlinear theories. Previous observations and models suggest that an element and its subelements should have the same frequency-sweep direction. However, we here present two unexpected chorus rising tone events within which the subelements exhibit clearly reversed, falling frequency-sweep. Moreover, the subelements consist of several wave packets that also show falling frequency-sweep features. The three-level structured chorus elements are distinctly different from all the reported observations and seem to bring challenges to the existing theories. We propose a possible scenario that the falling tone subelements are formed by nonlinear process with much shorter timescale and the starting frequency of each subelement is controlled by fast varying electron distribution. This study may inspire more studies toward a thorough understanding of the chorus generation process. Liu, Si; Gao, Zhonglei; Xiao, Fuliang; He, Qian; Li, Tong; Shang, Xiongjun; Zhou, Qinghua; Yang, Chang; Zhang, Sai; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 06/2021 YEAR: 2021 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2021JA029258 |
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Origin of Electron Boomerang Stripes: Statistical Study Abstract In the outer radiation belt, localized ULF waves can interact with energetic electrons by drift resonance, leading to quasiperiodic oscillations. The oscillations in the pitch angle spectrum can be characterized by either boomerang-shaped or straight stripes. Previous studies have shown that boomerang-shaped stripes evolve from straight ones when electrons drift away from the localized wave interaction region. Based on the time-of-flight technique on the pitch angle-dependent drift velocity, the origin can be remotely identified from the pitch angle dispersion. We report 27 straight stripe events and 86 boomerang-shaped events observed by Van Allen Probes from 2013/01/01 to 2017/12/31. Statistical study shows a good coincidence between the locations of straight ones and traceback regions from boomerang-shaped ones. These locations, mainly located in noon-to-dusk region, coincide well with the plasmaspheric plumes. Thus localized ULF waves trapped in the plume may result in the preference of localized ULF waves-electron interactions at noon-to-dusk region. Zhao, X.; Hao, Y.; Zong, Q.; Zhou, X.; Yue, Chao; Chen, X.; Liu, Y.; Liu, Z.-Y.; Blake, J.; Claudepierre, S.; Reeves, G.; Published by: Geophysical Research Letters Published on: 05/2021 YEAR: 2021 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2021GL093377 Localized ULF waves; Energetic Elctrons; drift resonance; Time-of-flight Technique; source region; boomerang-shaped stripes; Van Allen Probes |
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Abstract This paper presents results from a numerical study of the guiding of VLF whistler-mode waves along the ambient magnetic field by the shelf-like density structures observed by the NASA Van Allen Probes satellites in the equatorial plasmasphere. The shelf-duct consists of a homogeneous central part “sandwiched” between two density gradients pointing in the same direction. To the best of our knowledge, this type of whistler ducting has never been identified in observations before. Our investigation is based on simulations of the electron-MHD model, and our goal is to explain the mechanism of providing wave trapping and to reproduce the structure of the observed waves. The main result from this study is that the shelf-like, field-aligned density irregularities can indeed guide whistler-mode waves along the ambient magnetic field with little attenuation, and the parameters of the guided waves are defined by the parameters of the duct. The simulations reproduce the structure of the observed waves reasonably well. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 05/2021 YEAR: 2021 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2021JA029403 Whistler waves; density duct; plasmasphere; RBSP; simulations; Van Allen Probes |
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A Multi-instrument Study of a Dipolarization Event in the Inner Magnetosphere Abstract A dipolarization of the background magnetic field was observed during a conjunction of the Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) spacecraft and Van Allen Probe B on 22 September 2018. The spacecraft were located in the inner magnetosphere at L ∼ 6 − 7 just before midnight magnetic local time (MLT). The radial separation between MMS and Probe B was ∼ 1RE. Gradual dipolarization or an increase of the northward component BZ of the background field occurred on a timescale of minutes. Exploration of energization and Radiation in Geospace (ERG) located 0.5 MLT eastward at a similar L shell also measured a gradual increase. The spatial scale was of the order of 1 RE. On top of that, MMS and Probe B measured BZ increases, and a decrease in one case, on a timescale of seconds, accompanied by large electric fields with amplitudes > several tens of mV/m. Spatial scale lengths were of the order of the ion inertial length and the ion gyroradius. The inertial term in the momentum equation and the Hall term in the generalized Ohm’s law were sometimes non-negligible. These small-scale variations are discussed in terms of the ballooning/interchange instability (BICI) and kinetic Alfvén waves among others. It is inferred that physics of multiple scales was involved in the dynamics of this dipolarization event. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. Matsui, H.; Torbert, R.; Spence, H.; Argall, M.; Cohen, I.; Cooper, M.; Ergun, R.; Farrugia, C.; Fennell, J.; Fuselier, S.; Gkioulidou, M.; Khotyaintsev, Yu.; Lindqvist, P.-A.; Matsuoka, A.; Russell, C.; Shoji, M.; Strangeway, R.; Turner, D.; Vaith, H.; Wygant, J.; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 05/2021 YEAR: 2021 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2021JA029294 Dipolarization; inner magnetosphere; Multiple Scale Dynamics; Van Allen Probes |
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Abstract Radiation belt flux dropout events are sudden and often significant reductions in high-energy electrons from Earth’s outer radiation belts. These losses are theorized to be due to interactions with the dayside magnetopause and possibly connected to observations of escaping magnetospheric particles. This study focuses on radiation belt losses during a moderate-strength, nonstorm dropout event on 21 November 2016. The potential loss mechanisms and the linkage to dayside escape are investigated using combined energetic electron observations throughout the dayside magnetosphere from the MMS and Van Allen Probes spacecraft along with global magnetohydronamic and test particle simulations. In particular, this nonstorm-time event simplifies the magnetospheric conditions and removes ambiguity in the interpretation of results, allowing focus on subequent losses from enhanced outward radial transport that can occur after initial compression and relaxation of the magnetopause boundary. The evolution of measured phase space density profiles suggest a total loss of approximately 60\% of the initial radiation belt content during the event. Together the in-situ observations and high-resolution simulations help to characterize the loss by bounding the following parameters: 1) the duration of the loss, 2) the relative distribution of losses and surface area of the magnetopause over which loss occurs, and 3) the escaping flux (i.e., loss) rate across the magnetopause. In particular, this study is able to estimate the surface area of loss to less than 2.9×106 RE2 and the duration of loss to greater than six hours, while also demonstrating the MLT-dependence of the escaping flux and energy spectrum . Cohen, I.; Turner, D.; Michael, A.; Sorathia, K.; Ukhorskiy, A; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 05/2021 YEAR: 2021 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2021JA029261 Radiation belt; Magnetospheric escape; energetic electrons; Flux dropout events; test particle simulations; Van Allen Probes |
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A Statistical Study of Lower Hybrid Waves In the Earth’s Magnetosphere by Van Allen Probes Abstract The lower hybrid (LH) waves are electrostatic emissions near the LH resonant frequency. They propagate perpendicularly with a small wavelength comparable to Larmor radius of thermal particles and can heat both ions and electrons. In this paper, we statistically study the global distribution of LH waves in the inner magnetosphere by using Van Allen Probes observation from 2012 to 2018. We find that (1) LH waves are commonly observed in the inner magnetosphere. Most LH waves are confined near the magnetic equator with typical amplitudes of 0.02 ∼ 0.2 mV/m and occurrence rates up to 10\%. (2) LH waves extend to inner L regions with increasing wave amplitudes as AE* increases. (3) Weak LH waves occur at the nightside inside the plasmapause. Moderate and strong LH waves occur at the nightside and noon inside the plasmapause. As AE* increases, they extend to all MLTs inside the plasmapause and dawnside outside the plasmapause. Liu, Xu; Chen, Lunjin; Ma, Qianli; Published by: Geophysical Research Letters Published on: 05/2021 YEAR: 2021 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2021GL093168 |
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Rapid injections of MeV electrons and extremely fast step-like outer radiation belt enhancements Abstract Rapid injection of MeV electrons associated with strong substorm dipolarization has been suggested as a potential explanation for some radiation belt enhancement events. However, it has been difficult to quantify the contribution of MeV electron injections to radiation belt enhancements. This paper presents two isolated MeV electron injection events for which we quite precisely quantify how the entire outer-belt immediately changed with the injections. Tracking detailed outer-belt evolution observed by Van Allen Probes, for both events, we identify large step-like relativistic electron enhancements (roughly 1-order of magnitude increase for ∼2 MeV electron fluxes) for L ≳ 3.8 and L ≳ 4.6, respectively, that occurred on ∼30-min timescales nearly instantaneously with the injections. The enhancements occurred almost simultaneously for 10s keV to multi-MeV electrons, with the lowest-L of enhancement region located farther out for higher energy. The outer-belt stayed at these new levels for ≳ several hours without substantial subsequent enhancements. Kim, H.-J.; Lee, D.-Y.; Wolf, R.; Bortnik, J.; Kim, K.-C.; Lyons, L.; Choe, W.; Noh, S.-J.; Choi, K.-E.; Yue, C.; Li, J.; Published by: Geophysical Research Letters Published on: 05/2021 YEAR: 2021 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2021GL093151 Radiation belt enhancement; Relatvistic electrons; substorm injection; Step-like; Extremely fast; Van Allen Probes |
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Abstract We performed a comprehensive statistical study of electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves observed by the Van Allen Probes and Exploration of energization and Radiation in Geospace satellite (ERG/Arase). From 2017 to 2018, we identified and categorized EMIC wave events with respect to wavebands (H+ and He+ EMIC waves) and relative locations from the plasmasphere (inside and outside the plasmasphere). We found that H+ EMIC waves in the morning sector at L>8 are predominantly observed with a mixture of linear and right-handed polarity and higher wave normal angles during quiet geomagnetic conditions. Both H+ and He+ EMIC waves observed in the noon sector at L∼4-6 have left-handed polarity and lower wave normal angles at |MLAT|< 20˚ during the recovery phase of a storm with moderate solar wind pressure. In the afternoon sector (12-18 MLT), He+ EMIC waves are dominantly observed with strongly enhanced wave power at L∼6-8 during the storm main phase, while in the dusk sector (17-21 MLT) they have lower wave normal angles with linear polarity at L>8 during geomagnetic quiet conditions. Based on distinct characteristics at different EMIC wave occurrence regions, we suggest that EMIC waves in the magnetosphere can be generated by different free energy sources. Possible sources include the freshly injected particles from the plasma sheet, adiabatic heating by dayside magnetospheric compressions, suprathermal proton heating by magnetosonic waves, and off-equatorial sources. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. Jun, C.-W; Miyoshi, Y.; Kurita, S.; Yue, C.; Bortnik, J.; Lyons, L.; Nakamura, S.; Shoji, M.; Imajo, S.; Kletzing, C.; Kasahara, Y.; Kasaba, Y.; Matsuda, S.; Tsuchiya, F.; Kumamoto, A.; Matsuoka, A.; Shinohara, I.; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 05/2021 YEAR: 2021 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2020JA029001 Spatial distributions of EMIC waves; RBSP and Arase observations; EMIC wave properties; EMIC wave dependence on geomagnetic condition; Van Allen Probes |
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Modeling the Dynamics of Radiation Belt Electrons with Source and Loss Driven by the Solar Wind Abstract A radial diffusion model directly driven by the solar wind is developed to reproduce MeV electron variations between L=2-12 (L is L* in this study) from October 2012 to April 2015. The radial diffusion coefficient, internal source rate, quick loss due to EMIC waves, and slow loss due to hiss waves are all expressed in terms of the solar wind speed, dynamic pressure, and interplanetary magnetic field (IMF). The model achieves a prediction efficiency (PE) of 0.45 at L=5 and 0.51 at L=4 after converting the electron phase space densities to differential fluxes and comparing with Van Allen Probes measurements of 2 MeV and 3 MeV electrons at L=5 and L=4, respectively. Machine learning techniques are used to tune parameters to get higher PE. By tuning parameters for every 60-day period, the model obtains PE values of 0.58 and 0.82 at L=5 and L=4, respectively. Inspired by these results, we divide the solar wind activity into three categories based on the condition of solar wind speed, IMF Bz, and dynamic pressure, and then tune these three sets of parameters to obtain the highest PE. This experiment confirms that the solar wind speed has the greatest influence on the electron flux variations, particularly at higher L, while the dynamic pressure has more influence at lower L. Also, the PE at L=4 is mostly higher than those at L=5, suggesting that the electron loss due to the magnetopause shadowing combined with the outward radial diffusion is not well captured in the model. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. Xiang, Zheng; Li, Xinlin; Kapali, Sudha; Gannon, Jennifer; Ni, Binbin; Zhao, Hong; Zhang, Kun; Khoo, Leng; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 05/2021 YEAR: 2021 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2020JA028988 Radiation belt; Solar wind; flux prediction; radial diffusion; magnetopause shadowing; wave-particle interactions; Van Allen Probes |
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Abstract We compare ESA PROBA-V observations of electron flux at LEO with those from the NASA Van Allen Probes mostly at MEO for October 2013. Dropouts are visible at all energy during 4 storms from both satellites. Equatorial trapped electron fluxes are higher than at LEO by 102 (<1 MeV) to 105 (>2.5 MeV). We observe a quite isotropic structure of the outer belt during quiet times, contrary to the inner belt, and pitch angle dependence of high energy injection. We find very good overlap of the outer belt at MEO and LEO at ∼0.5 MeV. We use test-particle simulations of the energetic electrons trapped in the terrestrial magnetic field to study the outer radiation belt electron flux changes during geomagnetic storms. We show that the Dst (Disturbance storm time) effect during the main phase of a geomagnetic storm results in a betatron mechanism causing outward radial drift and a deceleration of the electrons. This outward drift motion is energy independent, pitch angle dependent, and represent a significant distance (∼1 L-shell at L=5 for moderate storms). At fixed L-shell, this causes a decay of the LEO precipitating flux (adiabatic outward motion), followed by a return to the normal state (adiabatic inward motion) during main and recovery phases. Dst effect, associated with magnetopause shadowing and radial diffusion can explain the main characteristics of outer radiation belt electron dropouts in October 2013. We also use Fokker-Planck simulations with event-driven diffusion coefficients at high temporal resolution, in order to distinguish instantaneous loss from the gradual scattering that depopulates the slot region and the outer belt after storms. Simulations reproduce the slot formation and the gradual loss in the outer belt. The typical energy-dependence of these losses leads to the absence of scattering for relativistic and ultra-relativistic electrons in the outer belt, oppositely to dropouts. Pierrard, V.; Ripoll, J.-F.; Cunningham, G.; Botek, E.; Santolik, O.; Thaller, S.; Kurth, W.; Cosmides, M.; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 05/2021 YEAR: 2021 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2020JA028850 Radiation belts; relativistic electrons; Geomagnetic storms; energetic particles; Van Allen Probes |
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Abstract This paper examines the rapid losses and acceleration of trapped relativistic and ultrarelativistic electron populations in the Van Allen radiation belt during the September 7-9, 2017, geomagnetic storm. By analyzing the dynamics of the last closed drift shell (LCDS) and the electron flux and phase space density (PSD), we show that the electron dropouts are consistent with magnetopause shadowing and outward radial diffusion to the compressed LCDS. During the recovery phase an in-bound pass of Van Allen Probe A shows an apparent local peak in PSD, but which does not exist. A careful analysis of the multipoint measurements by the Van Allen Probes reveals instead how the apparent PSD peak arises from aliasing monotonic PSD profiles which are rapidly increasing due to acceleration from very fast inwards radial diffusion. In the absence of such multi-satellite conjunctions during fast acceleration events, such peaks might otherwise be associated with local acceleration processes. Olifer, L.; Mann, I.; Ozeke, L.; Morley, S.; Louis, H.; Published by: Geophysical Research Letters Published on: 05/2021 YEAR: 2021 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2020GL092351 Van Allen Probes; magnetopause shadowing; ULF wave radial diffusion; electron phase space density |
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Sustained oxygen spectral gaps and their dynamic evolution in the inner magnetosphere Abstract Van Allen Probes observations of ion spectra often show a sustained gap within a very narrow energy range throughout the full orbit. To understand their formation mechanism, we statistically investigate the characteristics of the narrow gaps for oxygen ions and find that they are most frequently observed near the noon sector with a peak occurrence rate of over 30\%. The magnetic moment (μ) of the oxygen ions in the gap shows a strong dependence on magnetic local time (MLT), with higher and lower μ in the morning and afternoon sectors, respectively. Moreover, we find through superposed epoch analysis that the gap formation also depends on geomagnetic conditions. Those gaps formed at lower magnetic moments (μ < 3000 keV/G) are associated with stable convection electric fields, which enable magnetospheric ions to follow a steady drift pattern that facilitates the gap formation by corotational drift resonance. On the other hand, gaps with higher μ values are statistically preceded by a gradual increase of geomagnetic activity. We suggest that ions within the gap were originally located inside the Alfven layer following closed drift paths, before they were transitioned into open drift paths as the convection electric field was enhanced. The sunward drift of these ions, with very low fluxes, forms a drainage void in the dayside magnetosphere manifested as the sustained gap in the oxygen spectrum. This scenario is supported by particle-tracing simulations, which reproduce most of the observed characteristics and therefore provide new insights into inner magnetospheric dynamics. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. Yue, Chao; Zhou, Xu-Zhi; Bortnik, Jacob; Zong, Qiu-Gang; Li, Yuxuan; Ren, Jie; Reeves, Geoffrey; Spence, Harlan; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 04/2021 YEAR: 2021 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2020JA029092 oxygen spectral gaps; corotational drift resonance; sustained gaps; drainage void; test particle simulations; Van Allen Probes |
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Characteristics of low-harmonic magnetosonic waves in the Earth’s inner magnetosphere Abstract Magnetosonic (MS) waves are electromagnetic waves that play important roles in the acceleration and scattering of radiation belt electrons. However, previous statistical analyses of the global MS wave distribution were mainly restricted to magnetic field measurements. In this study, we first report a low-harmonic MS wave event observed only by the electric field instrument of Van Allen Probes. The MS wave frequencies follow the local proton gyrofrequency (fcp), which suggests the characteristics of nearly local generation. We further statistically investigate similar wave events using Van Allen Probes data. The identified MS wave power exhibits peaks between 4fcp and 10fcp, regardless of the L-shell, but it shows a magnetic local time (MLT) dependence. This work is supplemental to previous MS wave frequency spectra and provides new insights to better understand the source region of MS waves in the Earth’s magnetosphere. Teng, S.; Liu, N.; Ma, Q.; Tao, X.; Published by: Geophysical Research Letters Published on: 04/2021 YEAR: 2021 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2021GL093119 Low-frequency magnetosonic wave; wave generation; Magnetosonic wave spectra; Van Allen Probes |