Physics
Scientific paper
Dec 2010
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2010agufmsm33c1920c&link_type=abstract
American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2010, abstract #SM33C-1920
Physics
[2720] Magnetospheric Physics / Energetic Particles: Trapped, [2774] Magnetospheric Physics / Radiation Belts, [2788] Magnetospheric Physics / Magnetic Storms And Substorms
Scientific paper
Understanding the physical processes controlling relativistic electron dynamics in the Earth’s outer radiation belt is far from complete. One of the outstanding questions is the role of the transition region in controlling the variation of trapped relativistic electrons through the high-altitude boundary (where the outmost closed drift shell is located) of the outer radiation belt. Here the transition region is defined as the region between the outer belt’s high-altitude boundary and the inner boundary of the plasmasheet. It is conventionally believed that through the transition region, plasmasheet particles are convected (during quiet times) or injected (during disturbed times) into the inner magnetosphere and have the opportunity to be trapped on closed drift shells. Although relativistic electrons (~MeV) are unlikely fed directly through this region, low/moderate electrons conveyed through the transition region have been argued to be the “seed” population that indirectly cause acceleration of relativistic electrons by providing free energy through wave-particle interactions. However, a systematic survey of observations is needed to support this picture. Here we focus on analyzing in-situ multi-point observations from the THEMIS and other missions passing through the region of interest. Both case and statistical studies will be preformed to study the radial profiles of electrons across the high-altitude boundary and in the transition region as well as to pursue the connection between injected plasmasheet particles with the enhancement of trapped relativistic electrons. We expect this work to quantitatively determine the role of the transition region on the dynamics of relativistic electrons in the outer belt.
Chen Yafeng
Friedel Reiner H.
Reeves Geoff D.
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