Shock-induced radiation belt dynamics: simultaneous observations of “one-kick” acceleration and ultralow frequency modulation

We present conjunctive observations to study the prompt responses of radiation belt electrons during the interplanetary shock (IPS) event on 7 September 2017. As the IPS impinged the Earth, the Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions (THEMIS) E spacecraft located near the dayside bow shoc...

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Main Authors: Xingran Chen, Xi Lu, Qiugang Zong, Hui Zhang, Ying Liu, Xuzhi Zhou
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2024-12-01
Series:Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspas.2024.1520141/full
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author Xingran Chen
Xingran Chen
Xi Lu
Xi Lu
Qiugang Zong
Qiugang Zong
Hui Zhang
Hui Zhang
Ying Liu
Xuzhi Zhou
author_facet Xingran Chen
Xingran Chen
Xi Lu
Xi Lu
Qiugang Zong
Qiugang Zong
Hui Zhang
Hui Zhang
Ying Liu
Xuzhi Zhou
author_sort Xingran Chen
collection DOAJ
description We present conjunctive observations to study the prompt responses of radiation belt electrons during the interplanetary shock (IPS) event on 7 September 2017. As the IPS impinged the Earth, the Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions (THEMIS) E spacecraft located near the dayside bow shock observed alternating features of solar wind and magnetosheath, indicating that the magnetosphere was repeatedly compressed. Following each compression, rapid increases of relativistic electron fluxes and the corresponding drift echoes were well identified over the energy and pitch-angle spectra obtained by the Van Allen Probes (RBSP) in the inner magnetosphere. Meanwhile, oscillations in the Pc4 range are embedded in the flux variations, appearing as straight stripes in the pitch-angle distributions observed by RBSP-B inside the wave active region and “boomerang” stripes in the observations obtained by RBSP-A ∼6 MLT away. Such diverse signatures suggested an azimuthally confined ultralow frequency (ULF) wave. The patterns in the observed particle spectra agreed well with the theoretical predictions, by which we conclude that the surfing acceleration by the shock-induced pulse and the continuous modulation by the localized ULF wave conspired to cause significant disturbances to the Earth’s radiation belt.
format Article
id doaj-art-64e7d104cb9c4a679fb15495faae0b03
institution Kabale University
issn 2296-987X
language English
publishDate 2024-12-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences
spelling doaj-art-64e7d104cb9c4a679fb15495faae0b032024-12-19T06:24:12ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences2296-987X2024-12-011110.3389/fspas.2024.15201411520141Shock-induced radiation belt dynamics: simultaneous observations of “one-kick” acceleration and ultralow frequency modulationXingran Chen0Xingran Chen1Xi Lu2Xi Lu3Qiugang Zong4Qiugang Zong5Hui Zhang6Hui Zhang7Ying Liu8Xuzhi Zhou9State Key Laboratory of Lunar and Planetary Science, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau SAR, ChinaGeophysical Institute, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, United StatesWilliam B. Hanson Center for Space Sciences, University of Taxes at Dallas, Richardson, TX, United StatesGeophysical Institute, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, United StatesState Key Laboratory of Lunar and Planetary Science, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau SAR, ChinaInstitute of Space Physics and Applied Technology, Peking University, Beijing, ChinaSchool of Space Science and Technology, Shandong University, Weihai, ChinaGeophysical Institute, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, United StatesState Key Laboratory of Lunar and Planetary Science, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau SAR, ChinaInstitute of Space Physics and Applied Technology, Peking University, Beijing, ChinaWe present conjunctive observations to study the prompt responses of radiation belt electrons during the interplanetary shock (IPS) event on 7 September 2017. As the IPS impinged the Earth, the Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions (THEMIS) E spacecraft located near the dayside bow shock observed alternating features of solar wind and magnetosheath, indicating that the magnetosphere was repeatedly compressed. Following each compression, rapid increases of relativistic electron fluxes and the corresponding drift echoes were well identified over the energy and pitch-angle spectra obtained by the Van Allen Probes (RBSP) in the inner magnetosphere. Meanwhile, oscillations in the Pc4 range are embedded in the flux variations, appearing as straight stripes in the pitch-angle distributions observed by RBSP-B inside the wave active region and “boomerang” stripes in the observations obtained by RBSP-A ∼6 MLT away. Such diverse signatures suggested an azimuthally confined ultralow frequency (ULF) wave. The patterns in the observed particle spectra agreed well with the theoretical predictions, by which we conclude that the surfing acceleration by the shock-induced pulse and the continuous modulation by the localized ULF wave conspired to cause significant disturbances to the Earth’s radiation belt.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspas.2024.1520141/fullradiation beltenergetic electroninterplanetary shocksurfing accelerationultralow frequency wavespace weather
spellingShingle Xingran Chen
Xingran Chen
Xi Lu
Xi Lu
Qiugang Zong
Qiugang Zong
Hui Zhang
Hui Zhang
Ying Liu
Xuzhi Zhou
Shock-induced radiation belt dynamics: simultaneous observations of “one-kick” acceleration and ultralow frequency modulation
Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences
radiation belt
energetic electron
interplanetary shock
surfing acceleration
ultralow frequency wave
space weather
title Shock-induced radiation belt dynamics: simultaneous observations of “one-kick” acceleration and ultralow frequency modulation
title_full Shock-induced radiation belt dynamics: simultaneous observations of “one-kick” acceleration and ultralow frequency modulation
title_fullStr Shock-induced radiation belt dynamics: simultaneous observations of “one-kick” acceleration and ultralow frequency modulation
title_full_unstemmed Shock-induced radiation belt dynamics: simultaneous observations of “one-kick” acceleration and ultralow frequency modulation
title_short Shock-induced radiation belt dynamics: simultaneous observations of “one-kick” acceleration and ultralow frequency modulation
title_sort shock induced radiation belt dynamics simultaneous observations of one kick acceleration and ultralow frequency modulation
topic radiation belt
energetic electron
interplanetary shock
surfing acceleration
ultralow frequency wave
space weather
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspas.2024.1520141/full
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