Explaining the dynamics of the ultra-relativistic third Van Allen radiation belt [electronic resource].

Published: Washington, D.C. : United States. Dept. of Energy, 2016.
Oak Ridge, Tenn. : Distributed by the Office of Scientific and Technical Information, U.S. Dept. of Energy
Physical Description: pages 978-983 : digital, PDF file
Additional Creators: Los Alamos National Laboratory, United States. Department of Energy, National Aeronautics and Space Administration Announcement, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council Canada, Science and Technology Facilities Council (Great Britain), European Union, and United States. Department of Energy. Office of Scientific and Technical Information

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Summary

Since the discovery of the Van Allen radiation belts over 50 years ago, an explanation for their complete dynamics has remained elusive. Especially challenging is understanding the recently discovered ultra-relativistic third electron radiation belt. Current theory asserts that loss in the heart of the outer belt, essential to the formation of the third belt, must be controlled by high-frequency plasma wave–particle scattering into the atmosphere, via whistler mode chorus, plasmaspheric hiss, or electromagnetic ion cyclotron waves. However, this has failed to accurately reproduce the third belt. In this paper, using a data-driven, time-dependent specification of ultra-low-frequency (ULF) waves we show for the first time how the third radiation belt is established as a simple, elegant consequence of storm-time extremely fast outward ULF wave transport. High-frequency wave–particle scattering loss into the atmosphere is not needed in this case. Finally, when rapid ULF wave transport coupled to a dynamic boundary is accurately specified, the sensitive dynamics controlling the enigmatic ultra-relativistic third radiation belt are naturally explained.

Report Numbers

E 1.99:la-ur--16-20639
la-ur--16-20639

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Note

Published through SciTech Connect.
06/20/2016.
"la-ur--16-20639"
Nature Physics 12 10 ISSN 1745-2473 AM
I. R. Mann; L. G. Ozeke; K. R. Murphy; S. G. Claudepierre; D. L. Turner; D. N. Baker; I. J. Rae; A. Kale; D. K. Milling; A. J. Boyd; H. E. Spence; Geoffrey D. Reeves; H. J. Singer; S. Dimitrakoudis; I. A. Daglis; F. Honary.
Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) (United Kingdom)
Canadian Space Agency (CSA)
European Commission (EC) (Belgium)

Funding Information

AC52-06NA25396
NAS5-01072
NAS5-02099
ST/L000563/1
NE/L007495/1
284520

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