Simulation of the prompt energization and transport of radiation belt particles during the March 24, 1991 SSC

Journal Article · Fri Nov 19 04:00:00 EST 1993 · Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/93GL02701· OSTI ID:5094687

Li, X; Hudson, M K ^[1]; Roth, I; Wygant, J R; Temerin, M ^[2]; Blake, J B ^[3]

---

1. Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH (United States)
2. Univ. of California, Berkeley, CA (United States)
3. Aerospace Corp., Los Angeles, CA (United States)

The authors model the rapid ([approximately]1 min) formation of a new electron radiation belt at L [approx equal] 2.5 that resulted from the Storm Sudden Commencement (SSC) of March 24, 1991 as observed by the CRRES satellite. Guided by the observed electric and magnetic fields, the authors represent the time-dependent magnetospheric electric field during the SSC by an asymmetric bipolar pulse that is associated with the compression and relaxation of the Earth's magnetic field. The authors follow the electrons using a relativistic guiding center code. The test-particle simulations show that electrons with energies of a few MeV at L > 6 were energized up to 40 MeV and transported to L [approx equal] 2.5 during a fraction of their drift period. The energization process conserves the first adiabatic invariant and is enhanced due to resonance of the electron drift motion with the time-varying electric field. Their simulation results, with an initial W[sup [minus]8] energy flux spectra, reproduce the observed electron drift echoes and show that the interplanetary shock impacted the magnetosphere between 1500 and 1800 MLT. 121 refs., 5 figs.

• OSTI ID: 5094687
• Journal Information: Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (United States), Journal Name: Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (United States) Vol. 20:22; ISSN GPRLAJ; ISSN 0094-8276
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

661320* -- Auroral
Ionospheric
& Magnetospheric Phenomena-- (1992-)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ELECTRONS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
FERMIONS
HEATING
LEPTONS
MAGNETIC STORMS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
RADIATION BELTS