Statistical analysis of outer electron radiation belt dropouts: geosynchronous and low earth orbit responses during solar wind stream interfaces

Interplanetary space is a hazard precursor for solar eruption toward earth. The solar eruptions enhance electron flux that can lead to anomalies, shifts, and permanent damage to spacecraft, e.g. satellites. The data used in this paper are interplanetary space data represented by interplanetary magnetic field (Bz) and solar wind speed, as well as Dst and AE indexes as comparison indicating disturbance has reached Earth’s poles and equator during 2011-2012. The method used is to determine the value of maximum and minimum Bz in the year 2011-2012 which is taken five days before and after. Analysis and calculation of correlation is done to data of Bz-electron flux and solar wind velocity-electron flux. Clarification of disturbence in interplanetary space and outer electron radiation belt is using index data Dst and AE indexes are used to clarify interplanetary space and outer electron radiation belt disturbances. The aim of this study is to determine the characteristics of interplanetary space that can increase the electron flux so that the space weather early warning can be done. It was found that the period of electron flux enhancement after decrease and increase of Bz was 2 to 3 days. The electron flux would enhance when interplanetary space was in its normal condition at solar wind speed 500 km/sec and Bz is -5 nT to +5 nT. Electron flux correlation with solar wind velocity was better than with Bz. ABSTRAKKondisi ruang antarplanet merupakan prekursor bahaya erupsi matahari terhadap bumi. Erupsi matahari dapat menyebabkan peningkatan fluks elektron. Tingginya fluks elektron dapat menyebabkan anomali, pergeseran, dan kerusakan permanen pada wahana antariksa, misal satelit. Data yang digunakan pada makalah ini adalah data ruang antarplanet yang diwakili oleh kondisi medan magnet antarplanet (Bz) dan kecepatan angin matahari yang merupakan prekursor peningkatan fluks elektron serta data indeks Dst dan indeks AE sebagai pembanding bahwa gangguan telah mencapai kutub dan ekuator bumi selama rentang waktu 2011-2012. Metode yang digunakan adalah menentukan nilai Bz maksimum dan minimum dalam tahun 2011-2012 yang selanjutnya dari penanggalan data tersebut diambil data lima hari sebelum dan sesudah. Analisis dan perhitungan korelasi dilakukan terhadap data Bz-fluks elektron dan kecepatan angin matahari-fluks elektron. Klarifikasi gangguan yang terjadi di ruang antarplanet dan sabuk radiasi elektron luar menggunakan data indeks Dst dan indeks AE. Tujuan ditulisnya makalah ini adalah untuk mengetahui karakteristik kondisi ruang antarplanet yang dapat meningkatkan fluks elektron agar peringatan dini cuaca antariksa dapat dilakukan. Hasil yang didapatkan adalah waktu yang dibutuhkan fluks elektron setelah terjadi penurunan dan peningkatan Bz adalah 2 hingga 3 hari, fluks elektron akan meningkat saat kondisi ruang antarplanet normal yaitu pada kecepatan 500 km/detik dan Bz -5 nT hingga +5 nT, korelasi fluks elektron dengan kecepatan angin matahari lebih baik dibanding fluks elektron dengan Bz.

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Density and temperature of energetic electrons in the Earth's magnetotail derived from high-latitude GPS observations during the declining phase of the solar cycle

Annales Geophysicae ◽

10.5194/angeo-29-1755-2011 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 29 (10) ◽

pp. 1755-1763 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

M. H. Denton ◽

T. E. Cayton

Keyword(s):

Solar Wind ◽

Temperature Distribution ◽

Electron Density ◽

Radiation Belt ◽

Solar Wind Speed ◽

Energetic Electron ◽

Electron Radiation ◽

Outer Electron ◽

Energetic Electrons ◽

Speed Solar Wind

Abstract. Single relativistic-Maxwellian fits are made to high-latitude GPS-satellite observations of energetic electrons for the period January 2006–November 2010; a constellation of 12 GPS space vehicles provides the observations. The derived fit parameters (for energies ~0.1–1.0 MeV), in combination with field-line mapping on the nightside of the magnetosphere, provide a survey of the energetic electron density and temperature distribution in the magnetotail between McIlwain L-values of L=6 and L=22. Analysis reveals the characteristics of the density-temperature distribution of energetic electrons and its variation as a function of solar wind speed and the Kp index. The density-temperature characteristics of the magnetotail energetic electrons are very similar to those found in the outer electron radiation belt as measured at geosynchronous orbit. The energetic electron density in the magnetotail is much greater during increased geomagnetic activity and during fast solar wind. The total electron density in the magnetotail is found to be strongly correlated with solar wind speed and is at least a factor of two greater for high-speed solar wind (VSW=500–1000 km s−1) compared to low-speed solar wind (VSW=100–400 km s−1). These results have important implications for understanding (a) how the solar wind may modulate entry into the magnetosphere during fast and slow solar wind, and (b) if the magnetotail is a source or a sink for the outer electron radiation belt.

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Dropouts of the outer electron radiation belt in response to solar wind stream interfaces: global positioning system observations

Proceedings of The Royal Society A Mathematical Physical and Engineering Sciences ◽

10.1098/rspa.2010.0078 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 466 (2123) ◽

pp. 3329-3350 ◽

Cited By ~ 62

Author(s):

Steven K. Morley ◽

Reiner H. W. Friedel ◽

Emma L. Spanswick ◽

Geoffrey D. Reeves ◽

John T. Steinberg ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Solar Wind ◽

Relativistic Electron ◽

Global Positioning System ◽

Radiation Belt ◽

Electron Radiation ◽

Positioning System ◽

Solar Wind Stream ◽

Outward Diffusion ◽

Combining Data ◽

Global Positioning

We present a statistical study of relativistic electron counts in the electron radiation belt across a range of drift shells (L*>4) combining data from nine combined X-ray dosimeters (CXD) on the global positioning system (GPS) constellation. The response of the electron counts as functions of time, energy and drift shell are examined statistically for 67 solar wind stream interfaces (SIs); two-dimensional superposed epoch analysis is performed with the CXD data. For these epochs we study the radiation belt dropouts and concurrent variations in key geophysical parameters. At higher L* we observe a tendency for a gradual drop in the electron counts over the day preceding the SI, consistent with outward diffusion and magnetopause shadowing. At all L*, dropouts occur with a median time scale of ≃7 h and median counts fall by 0.4–1.8 orders of magnitude. The central tendencies of radiation belt dropout and recovery depend on both L* and energy. For ≃70 per cent of epochs Sym-H more than −30 nT, yet only three of 67 SIs did not have an associated dropout in the electron data. Statistical maps of electron precipitation suggest that chorus-driven relativistic electron microbursts might be major contributors to radiation belt losses under high-speed stream driving.

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