The terrestrial radiation belts as seen by BepiColombo during its flyby to Earth

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beatriz Sanchez-Cano ◽  
Rami Vainio ◽  
Marco Pinto ◽  
Philipp Oleynik ◽  
Rumi Nakamura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Wind ◽  
Radiation Belt ◽  
European Space Agency ◽  
Activity Cycle ◽  
Solar Activity Cycle ◽  
Planetary Science ◽  
Radiation Belts ◽  
Outer Radiation Belt ◽  
Night Side ◽  
Cross Calibration

<p>BepiColombo is a joint mission of the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) to the planet Mercury, that was launched in October 2018 and it is due to arrive at Mercury in late 2025. It consists of two spacecraft, the Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO) built by ESA, and the Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (MMO) built by JAXA, as well as a Mercury Transfer Module (MTM) for propulsion built by ESA. The cruise phase to Mercury will last ~7 years and constitutes an exceptional opportunity for studying the evolution of the solar wind, solar transients, as well as for planetary science and planetary space weather. Some important aspects to consider during the cruise are the close distances to the Sun that BepiColombo will face, the near half-solar activity cycle that will cover, as well as the several flybys to Earth, Venus and Mercury that will perform. So far, BepiColombo has accomplished a flyby to Earth in April 2020 and a flyby to Venus in October 2020, with a second flyby to Venus programmed for August 2021 and the first Mercury flyby in October 2021.</p><p>This work focuses on the flyby to Earth, and in particular, on the radiation belt observations performed by several instruments onboard BepiColombo. The flyby occurred on 10 April 2020 under relatively steady solar wind conditions. BepiColombo crossed the outer radiation belt on the terrestrial dawn side when moving from the day side to the night side. It skimmed the inner radiation belt on the night side sector after dawn, and then crossed again the outer belt at night (behind the dusk terminator region). Two instruments onboard the MPO spacecraft were able to take measurements of the belts: the BepiColombo Radiation Monitor (BERM) and the Solar Intensity X-Ray and Particle Spectrometer (SIXS). In this work, we report the particle species, radiation and energies observed by these two instruments, as well as we perform a cross-calibration of their detections, which is an important activity in preparation for joint-observations of the Hermean environment. Moreover, using magnetic field observations from MPO-MAG, we also investigate the trajectory of the particles within the radiation belts. This work is complemented with data from other missions that give us the state of the terrestrial system and frame our observations into the right context. It includes data from Cluster-II, Themis, and Arase/ERG missions.</p>

On the effect of ULF waves on the outer radiation belt during geomagnetic storms

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Lara ◽  
Pablo S. Moya ◽  
Victor Pinto ◽  
Javier Silva ◽  
Beatriz Zenteno
Keyword(s):  
Relativistic Electron ◽  
Radiation Belt ◽  
Geomagnetic Storms ◽  
Cumulative Effect ◽  
Radiation Belts ◽  
Ulf Waves ◽  
Relativistic Electrons ◽  
Relative Role ◽  
Outer Radiation Belt ◽  
Ulf Wave

<p>The inner magnetosphere is a very important region to study, as with satellite-based communications increasing day after day, possible disruptions are especially relevant due to the possible consequences in our daily life. It is becoming very important to know how the radiation belts behave, especially during strong geomagnetic activity. The radiation belts response to geomagnetic storms and solar wind conditions is still not fully understood, as relativistic electron fluxes in the outer radiation belt can be depleted, enhanced or not affected following intense activity. Different studies show how these results vary in the face of different events. As one of the main mechanisms affecting the dynamics of the radiation belt are wave-particle interactions between relativistic electrons and ULF waves. In this work we perform a statistical study of the relationship between ULF wave power and relativistic electron fluxes in the outer radiation belt during several geomagnetic storms, by using magnetic field and particle fluxes data measured by the Van Allen Probes between 2012 and 2017. We evaluate the correlation between the changes in flux and the cumulative effect of ULF wave activity during the main and recovery phases of the storms for different position in the outer radiation belt and energy channels. Our results show that there is a good correlation between the presence of ULF waves and the changes in flux during the recovery phase of the storm and that correlations vary as a function of energy. Also, we can see in detail how the ULF power change for the electron flux at different L-shell We expect these results to be relevant for the understanding of the relative role of ULF waves in the enhancements and depletions of energetic electrons in the radiation belts for condition described.</p>

scholarly journals The relativistic electron response in the outer radiation belt during magnetic storms

2002 ◽  
Vol 20 (7) ◽  
pp. 957-965 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. H. A. Iles ◽  
A. N. Fazakerley ◽  
A. D. Johnstone ◽  
N. P. Meredith ◽  
P. Bühler
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Solar Wind ◽  
Wind Speed ◽  
Interplanetary Magnetic Field ◽  
Relativistic Electron ◽  
Radiation Belt ◽  
Solar Wind Speed ◽  
Recovery Phase ◽  
Magnetic Storms ◽  
Outer Radiation Belt

Abstract. The relativistic electron response in the outer radiation belt during magnetic storms has been studied in relation to solar wind and geomagnetic parameters during the first six months of 1995, a period in which there were a number of recurrent fast solar wind streams. The relativistic electron population was measured by instruments on board the two microsatellites, STRV-1a and STRV-1b, which traversed the radiation belt four times per day from L ~ 1 out to L ~ 7 on highly elliptical, near-equatorial orbits. Variations in the E > 750 keV and E > 1 MeV electrons during the main phase and recovery phase of 17 magnetic storms have been compared with the solar wind speed, interplanetary magnetic field z-component, Bz , the solar wind dynamic pressure and Dst *. Three different types of electron responses are identified, with outcomes that strongly depend on the solar wind speed and interplanetary magnetic field orientation during the magnetic storm recovery phase. Observations also confirm that the L-shell, at which the peak enhancement in the electron count rate occurs has a dependence on Dst *.Key words. Magnetospheric physics (energetic particles, trapped; storms and substorms) – Space plasma physics (charged particle motion and accelerations)

Determining latitudinal extent of energetic electron precipitation using MEPED on-board NOAA POES

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eldho Midhun Babu ◽  
Hilde Nesse Tyssøy ◽  
Christine Smith-Johnsen ◽  
Ville Aleksi Maliniemi ◽  
Josephine Alessandra Salice ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Wind ◽  
Radiation Belt ◽  
Climate Models ◽  
Stratospheric Ozone ◽  
Energetic Electron ◽  
Radiation Belts ◽  
Atmospheric Dynamics ◽  
Electron Precipitation ◽  
Atmospheric Effects ◽  
The Earth

<p>Energetic electron precipitation (EEP) from the plasma sheet and the radiation belts, can collide with gases in the atmosphere and deposit their energy. EEP increase the production of NOx and HOx, which will catalytically destroy stratospheric ozone, an important element of atmospheric dynamics. The particle precipitation also causes variation in the radiation belt population. Therefore, measurement of latitudinal extend of the precipitation boundaries is important in quantifying atmospheric effects of Sun-Earth interaction and threats to spacecrafts and astronauts in the Earth’s radiation belt. <br>This study uses measurements by MEPED detectors of six NOAA/POES and EUMETSAT/METOP satellites during the year 2010 to determine the latitudinal boundaries of EEP and its variability with geomagnetic activity and solar wind drivers. Variation of the boundaries with respect to different particle energies and magnetic local time is studied. The result will be a key element for constructing a model of EEP variability to be applied in atmosphere climate models.</p>

Solar Wind Variation with the Cycle

2000 ◽  
Vol 179 ◽  
pp. 423-429
Author(s):  
I. S. Veselovsky ◽  
A. V. Dmitriev ◽  
A. V. Suvorova ◽  
M. V. Tarsina
Keyword(s):  
Solar Wind ◽  
Coronal Holes ◽  
Activity Cycle ◽  
Solar Activity Cycle ◽  
Time Dependent ◽  
Solar Cycles ◽  
Solar Wind Density ◽  
Plasma Parameters ◽  
Decadal Variations ◽  
Wind Measurements

AbstractThe cyclic evolution of the heliospheric plasma parameters is related to the time-dependent boundary conditions in the solar corona. “Minimal” coronal configurations correspond to the regular appearance of the tenuous, but hot and fast plasma streams from the large polar coronal holes. The denser, but cooler and slower solar wind is adjacent to coronal streamers. Irregular dynamic manifestations are present in the corona and the solar wind everywhere and always. They follow the solar activity cycle rather well. Because of this, the direct and indirect solar wind measurements demonstrate clear variations in space and time according to the minimal, intermediate and maximal conditions of the cycles. The average solar wind density, velocity and temperature measured at the Earth’s orbit show specific decadal variations and trends, which are of the order of the first tens per cent during the last three solar cycles. Statistical, spectral and correlation characteristics of the solar wind are reviewed with the emphasis on the cycles.

On the semi-annual variation of relativistic electrons in the outer radiation belt

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sigiava Aminalragia-Giamini ◽  
Christos Katsavrias ◽  
Constantinos Papadimitriou ◽  
Ioannis A. Daglis ◽  
Ingmar Sandberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Relativistic Electron ◽  
Radiation Belt ◽  
Annual Variation ◽  
European Space Agency ◽  
Phase Relationship ◽  
Radiation Environment ◽  
Relativistic Electrons ◽  
Solar Cycles ◽  
Outer Radiation Belt ◽  
Horizon 2020

<p>The nature of the semi-annual variation in the relativistic electron fluxes in the Earth’s outer radiation belt is investigated using Van Allen Probes (MagEIS and REPT) and GOES (EPS) data during solar cycle 24. We perform wavelet and cross-wavelet analysis in a broad energy and spatial range of electron fluxes and examine their phase relationship with the axial, equinoctial and Russell-McPherron mechanisms. It is found that the semi-annual variation in the relativistic electron fluxes exhibits pronounced power in the 0.3 – 4.2 MeV energy range at L-shells higher than 3.5 and, moreover, it exhibits an in-phase relationship with the Russell-McPherron effect indicating the former is primarily driven by the latter. Furthermore, the analysis of the past 3 solar cycles with GOES/EPS indicates that the semi-annual variation at geosynchronous orbit is evident during the descending phases and coincides with periods of a higher (lower) HSS (ICME) occurrence.</p><p>This work has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme “SafeSpace” under grant agreement No 870437 and from the European Space Agency under the “European Contribution to International Radiation Environment Near Earth (IRENE) Modelling System” activity under ESA Contract No 4000127282/19/NL/IB/gg.</p>

How Coherent are Flux Variations in the Outer Van Allen Radiation Belt?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel Walton ◽  
Colin Forsyth ◽  
Iain Jonathan Rae ◽  
Clare Watt ◽  
Richard Horne ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Geomagnetic Activity ◽  
Radiation Belt ◽  
Geomagnetic Storms ◽  
Outer Boundary ◽  
Radial Distance ◽  
Radiation Belts ◽  
Outer Radiation Belt ◽  
Electron Population ◽  
Storms And Substorms ◽  
Using Data

<p>The electron population inside Earth’s outer radiation belt is highly variable and typically linked to geomagnetic activity such as storms and substorms. These variations can differ with radial distance, such that the fluxes at the outer boundary are different from those in the heart of the belt. Using data from the Proton Electron Telescope (PET) on board NASA’s Solar Anomalous Magnetospheric Particle Explorer (SAMPEX), we have examined the correlation between electron fluxes at all L's within the radiation belts for a range of geomagnetic conditions, as well as longer-term averages. Our analysis shows that fluxes at L≈2-4 and L≈4-10 are well correlated within these regions, with coefficients in excess of 80%, however, the correlation between these two regions is low. These correlations vary between storm-times and quiet-times. We examine whether, and to what extent this correlation is related to the level of enhancement of the outer radiation belt during geomagnetic storms, and whether the plasmapause plays any role defining the different regions of correlated flux.</p>

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