Waves in the Inner Radiation Belt and Electron Slot Region Observed on the STEREO spacecraft
Abstract
We present a survey and analysis of waveforms captured on the Time Domain Sampler (TDS) instruments of the two STEREO spacecraft during four perigee passes through the Earth's plasmasphere and magnetosphere in 2006. Of particular focus in this analysis are waves in the inner radiation belt and slot region such as large amplitude whistler mode waves. Because of instrumental limitations on other spacecraft whistler mode emissions identified in past studies have typically been seen with maximum amplitudes of 30 mV/m. The TDS instrument on STEREO however is capable of capturing much larger amplitude waveforms. The whistler mode emissions observed in this survey range in amplitude from 50 mV/m up to 200 mV/m. Some of these waves are seen to propagate with large wave normal angles with respect to the DC magnetic field and occur along with an enhanced flux of MeV electrons. Preliminary studies of similar amplitude whistler mode emissions in the outer belt have indicated that large pitch angle scattering and energization of electrons by MeVs can occur due to the waves.
- Publication:
-
AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2008
- Bibcode:
- 2008AGUFMSM21A1674B
- Keywords:
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- 2471 Plasma waves and instabilities (2772);
- 2768 Plasmasphere;
- 2774 Radiation belts;
- 7867 Wave/particle interactions (2483;
- 6984)