The Role of the Auroral Processes in the Formation of the Outer Electron Radiation Belt
Abstract
The role of the auroral processes in the formation of the outer electron radiation belt during storms is analyzed using the data of RBSP mission, low orbiting satellites and ground based observations. We analyze fluxes of the low energy precipitating ions using data of the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP). The location of the auroral electrojet is obtained from the IMAGE magnetometer network, and of the electron distribution in the outer radiation belt from the RBSP mission. We take into account the latest results on the auroral oval mapping in accordance with which the most part of the auroral oval maps not to the plasma sheet. It maps into the surrounding the Earth plasma ring in which transverse currents are closed inside the magnetosphere. Such currents constitute the high latitude continuation of the ordinary ring current. The development of the ring current and its high latitude continuation generates strong distortion of the Earth's magnetic field and corresponding adiabatic variation of the relativistic electron fluxes. This adiabatic variation should be considered for the analysis of the processes of the acceleration of relativistic electrons and formation of the outer radiation belt. We also analyze the plasma pressure profiles during storms and demonstrate the formation of sharp plasma pressure peak at the equatorial boundary of the auroral oval. It is shown that the observed this peak is directly connected to the creation of the seed population of relativistic electrons. We discuss the possibility to predict the position of new radiation belt during recovery phase of the magnetic storm using data of low orbiting and ground based observations.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2016
- Bibcode:
- 2016AGUFMSM41A2415S
- Keywords:
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- 2730 Magnetosphere: inner;
- MAGNETOSPHERIC PHYSICSDE: 2740 Magnetospheric configuration and dynamics;
- MAGNETOSPHERIC PHYSICSDE: 2774 Radiation belts;
- MAGNETOSPHERIC PHYSICS