Energy spectra and pitch angle distributions of lightning-induced electron precipitation: Analysis of an event observed on the S81-1 (SEEP) satellite

Journal Article · Wed Feb 01 00:00:00 EST 1989 · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JA094iA02p01379· OSTI ID:6315752

Inan, U S; Walt, M; Voss, H D; Imhof, W L

Temporal and spectral signatures of a lightning-induced electron precipitation (LEP) burst observed on the S81-1 (SEEP) satellite are analyzed and compared with the predictions of a test particle model of the gyroresonant whistler-particle interaction in the magnetosphere. The flux to be detected by specific detectors on the low altitude (/similar to/220 km) satellite at Lapprox. =2.24 is calculated in terms of the integral counting rate as a function of time and in terms of the dynamic energy spectra during the initial /similar to/300-ms precipitation pulse. For a whistler wave packet with frequency range 500 Hz to 6 kHz the dynamic energy spectra are found to depend sensitively on the electron angular distribution in the vicinity of the loss cone. In the case of a whistler wave originating in northern hemisphere lightning the maximum whistler-induced pitch angle scattering of electrons occurs near /similar to/10 /sup 0/S geomagnetic latitude. However, scattering occuring over the latitude range of /similar to/20 /sup 0/N to /similar to/20 /sup 0/S is found to be significant and contributes to the observed LEP pulse. The dynamic energy spectra of the LEP pulse and the temporal profile of the integral counting rate are consistent with the predictions of a test particle model of the gyroresonant scattering of the electrons by a whistler wave having an equatorial intensity at 6 kHz of /similar to/200 pT. The measured LEP pulse pitch angle distribution is wider than that estimated on the basis of the test particle model. copyright American Geophysical Union 1989

• Research Organization: STAR Laboratory, Stanford University, Stanford, California
• OSTI ID: 6315752
• Journal Information: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Vol. 94:A2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
EARTH MAGNETOSPHERE
ELECTRON PRECIPITATION
ENERGY SPECTRA
LIGHTNING
LOSS CONE
SATELLITES
WHISTLERS
CHARGED-PARTICLE PRECIPITATION
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
NOISE
RADIATIONS
RADIO NOISE
RADIOWAVE RADIATION
SPECTRA
640201* - Atmospheric Physics- Auroral
Ionospheric
& Magetospheric Phenomena