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High‐energy electron beams launched into space by thunderstorms
Author(s) -
Dwyer Joseph R.,
Grefenstette Brian W.,
Smith David M.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2007gl032430
Subject(s) - physics , gamma ray , electron , magnetosphere , van allen radiation belt , earth radius , population , earth's magnetic field , astronomy , astrophysics , nuclear physics , magnetic field , plasma , demography , sociology , quantum mechanics
Using CGRO/BATSE data, a possible new source of high‐energy electrons and positrons in the earth's inner magnetosphere is presented. These particles are generated within the upper atmosphere by Compton scattering and pair‐production of gamma‐rays originating from near the tropopause as Terrestrial Gamma‐ray Flashes (TGFs). Once created, these energetic electrons and positrons follow the geomagnetic field into the inner magnetosphere where they can be detected in low‐earth orbit, either near the TGF magnetic foot point or at the conjugate point several thousand kilometers away. Approximately 17% of CGRO/BATSE events previously identified as terrestrial gamma‐ray flashes are, in fact, such electrons and positrons. With energies extending above 30 MeV, this previously unidentified population contains some of the most energetic particles accelerated in the near‐earth environment.