Energetic electron dynamics in the Earth's radiation belts: New results from the REPT instrument on board Van Allen probes
Abstract
The dynamics of the Earth's radiation belt electron population is the result of a complex interplay between energization and loss. These processes involve coupling over various scales and include low energy (few to hundreds of keV) particles, plasmas and wave phenomena. The recently launched Van Allen Probes comprising twin spacecraft with sophisticated suites of instruments investigates radiation belt physics in a comprehensive manner. In this presentation we focus of the discoveries and insights provided by the Relativistic Electron Proton Telescope during the first year of operation. In particular we address the discovery of new morphological "storage ring" structure of the outer belt as well as the evidence for in-situ energization of electrons to relativistic energies.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2013
- Bibcode:
- 2013AGUFMSM33A2182K
- Keywords:
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- 2774 MAGNETOSPHERIC PHYSICS Radiation belts