Relativistic Electron Pitch Angle Distributions in the Inner Magnetosphere
Abstract
Relativistic electron pitch angle distributions (PADs) in the trapped inner region of the magnetosphere are a sensitive measure of many processes that govern the dynamics of these particles. We report here on statistical observations of relativistic electron PADs from the Van Allen Probes mission, which show an unexpected dawn/dusk asymmetry that seems to be a persistent feature during quiet times of Dst > -20 nT. The observed PADs show a more peaked pancake distribution at dusk compared to dawn for energies above 1.8 MeV. These observations hint at persistent processes that can aect relativistic electrons on timescales on the order of the outer radiation belt drift period ( 10 minutes).
- Publication:
-
AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2016
- Bibcode:
- 2016AGUFMSM11B2154F
- Keywords:
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- 2712 Electric fields;
- MAGNETOSPHERIC PHYSICSDE: 2730 Magnetosphere: inner;
- MAGNETOSPHERIC PHYSICSDE: 2778 Ring current;
- MAGNETOSPHERIC PHYSICSDE: 2788 Magnetic storms and substorms;
- MAGNETOSPHERIC PHYSICS