Asymmetric Driving of the Magnetosphere and its Effect on the Radiation Belts

One of the geomagnetic effects of co-rotating stream interactions (CIRs) is to energize the radiation belts. We investigate what role asymmetric driving of the magnetosphere by CIRs plays in the energization process during the extended periodic stream structure of the declining phase of solar cycle 23. Using a spatial mapping algorithm developed by Mulligan et al., (2012) we create contour maps of the solar wind bulk plasma parameters using ACE, Wind, and STEREO data. On varying length-scales of ACE and Wind, and as the STEREO spacecraft separate over the latter part of 2006-2007, we quantitatively follow solar wind spatial variations on changing baseline in the radial and azimuthal dimensions. We perform a statistical analysis of how the size and impact angle of the stream structure affect the intensity and duration of CIR-related energization of the outer zone at various energies.