Connotea
CiteULike
del.ico.us
BibSonomyAbstract
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS,
VOL. 35,
L16106,
5 PP., 2008
doi:10.1029/2008GL034804
Observations of relativistic electron precipitation from the radiation belts driven by EMIC waves
Department of Physics, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
Sodankylä Geophysical Observatory, University of Oulu, Sodankylä, Finland
Physical Sciences Division, British Antarctic Survey, Cambridge, UK
Physical Sciences Division, British Antarctic Survey, Cambridge, UK
Department of Physics, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
Department of Physics, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
Sodankylä Geophysical Observatory, University of Oulu, Sodankylä, Finland
For some time theoretical modeling has shown that electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves should play an important role in the loss of relativistic electrons from the radiation belts, through precipitation into the atmosphere. Up to now there has been limited experimental evidence for relativistic electron precipitation driven by EMIC waves. In this paper we present case studies of events showing EMIC waves, observed by ground-based pulsation magnetometers, which are linked to strong responses in a subionospheric precipitation monitor. This response is consistent with precipitation occurring near the plasmapause, where EMIC waves may resonate with relativistic electrons. At the same time there is only a weak response in a co-located riometer chain, as expected for relativistic electron precipitation that penetrates deeply into the atmosphere.
Received 27 May 2008; accepted 21 July 2008; published 22 August 2008.
Citation: (2008), Observations of relativistic electron precipitation from the radiation belts driven by EMIC waves, Geophys. Res. Lett., 35, L16106, doi:10.1029/2008GL034804.
Cited By