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Equatorial gyroresonance between electrons and magnetospherically reflected whistlers

Journal Article · · Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (United States)
OSTI ID:5586404

A large fraction of the magnetospheric wave energy from lightning discharges propagates in the nonducted (oblique) mode and is often found to multiply (up to 8-10 bounces) reflect back and forth between hemispheres (Edgar, 1976). The reflections occur where the wave frequency matches the local lower hybrid frequency, leading to the so-called Magnetospherically Reflected (MR) whistlers as observed on a spacecraft. Magnetospherically reflected whistlers resonantly interact with energetic (of order 100 keV) electrons in a relatively narrow energy range during multiple equatorial crossings over a wide range of L-shells (1.5 < L < 4). Results indicate that wave energy that enters the magnetosphere at a fixed location can potentially contribute to the loss of particles over a wide range of latitudes.

OSTI ID:
5586404
Journal Information:
Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (United States), Journal Name: Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (United States) Vol. 17:11; ISSN 0094-8276; ISSN GPRLA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English