Statistical Comparison of Van Allen Probes Loss Cone Electron Measurements and FIREBIRD Observations for 2015-2019
Abstract
From 2015 to 2019, the Van Allen Probes total radiation belt electron content shows a steady increase as time moves from solar maximum to solar minimum. However, the FIREBIRD CubeSats, measuring primarily precipitating electrons at the low-Earth orbit, show the opposite trend from the radiation belt data near the equator. The goal of this study is to understand the different responses between the trapped and precipitated relativistic electrons during this half solar cycle. To reach the goal, we compare measurements from Van Allen Probes at the smallest pitch angle bin, FIREBIRD CubeSats, and POES satellites to investigate the long-term variation of electrons from 200 keV to several MeV. We investigate the possible explanations of the opposite data results from storm types (CME or CIR), electron energy spectrum, L-shell profile, hemispheric differences, and instrument performance through time. A better understanding of the loss cone region will help to improve our estimates on electron precipitation rate toward more robust predictions of the radiation belt dynamic and its atmospheric impact.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2020
- Bibcode:
- 2020AGUFMSM009..04H
- Keywords:
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- 2455 Particle precipitation;
- IONOSPHERE;
- 2716 Energetic particles: precipitating;
- MAGNETOSPHERIC PHYSICS;
- 7867 Wave/particle interactions;
- SPACE PLASMA PHYSICS;
- 7999 General or miscellaneous;
- SPACE WEATHER