BARREL Observations of Relativistic Electron Precipitation

Abstract:

We present BARREL observations of relativistic electron precipitation made in conjunction with measurements from Van Allen Probes and other equatorial spacecraft. BARREL (Balloon Array for Radiation Belt Electron Losses) measures the bremsstrahlung X-rays produced by precipitating relativistic electrons as they collide with neutrals in Earth’s atmosphere. During two Antarctic balloon campaigns conducted in 2013 and 2014, BARREL measured relativistic precipitation in close conjunction with spacecraft plasma and wave measurements, allowing for a detailed, quantitative comparison of precipitation with the plasma environment in space. We present an analysis of duskside precipitation observed in conjunction with EMIC waves and dawnside precipitation observed in conjunction with whistler chorus waves.