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Observations of relativistic electron precipitation from the radiation belts driven by EMIC waves
Author(s) -
Rodger Craig J.,
Raita Tero,
Clilverd Mark A.,
Seppälä Annika,
Dietrich Sarah,
Thomson Neil R.,
Ulich Thomas
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 - 10.1029/2008gl034804
Subject(s) - van allen radiation belt , electron precipitation , physics , plasmasphere , relativistic particle , riometer , electron , emic and etic , geophysics , van allen probes , atmosphere (unit) , precipitation , astrophysics , cyclotron , computational physics , magnetosphere , atmospheric sciences , ionosphere , meteorology , nuclear physics , plasma , sociology , anthropology
For some time theoretical modeling has shown that electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves should play an important role in the loss of relativistic electrons from the radiation belts, through precipitation into the atmosphere. Up to now there has been limited experimental evidence for relativistic electron precipitation driven by EMIC waves. In this paper we present case studies of events showing EMIC waves, observed by ground‐based pulsation magnetometers, which are linked to strong responses in a subionospheric precipitation monitor. This response is consistent with precipitation occurring near the plasmapause, where EMIC waves may resonate with relativistic electrons. At the same time there is only a weak response in a co‐located riometer chain, as expected for relativistic electron precipitation that penetrates deeply into the atmosphere.