Conjugate In-situ and Incoherent Scatter Radar Observations of Radiation Belt Loss Mechanisms.

Abstract:

We present results from conjugate observations between the Radiation Belt Storms Probe (RBSP) and the Poker Flat Incoherent Scatter Radar (PFISR) of energetic radiation belt precipitation. A key objective of the RBSP mission is to understand loss mechanisms of energetic particles from the radiation belt. The relative contribution from plasma waves (e.g., EMIC, hiss, chorus, and etc.) that pitch angle scatter particles into the loss cone remains an open scientific question. Rigorous experimental validation of these mechanisms is difficult to achieve because nearly simultaneous conjugate observations of in-situ pitch angle scattering and precipitation into the atmosphere are required. One ground-based signature of energetic precipitation is enhanced ionization and electron density at D-region altitudes. Incoherent scatter radar is a powerful remote sensing technique that is sensitive to electron density enhancements. By measuring the altitude profiles of ionization we infer the flux of particles precipitating into the atmosphere. PFISR observations show frequent occurrence of D-region ionization during both quiet-time and storm-time conditions. We present results from two events when the foot-points of the RBSP satellite were within 500 km of PFISR: a quiet-time event on January 13, 2015, and a storm-time event on April 16, 2015. PFISR observations of the D-region ionization signatures are presented, along with simultaneous conjugate RBSP observations of the magnetic field, electric field, and electron flux. Plasma waves are identified using the electric and magnetic field data, and evaluated as possible pitch angle scattering mechanisms. A direct comparison between the measured fluxes and loss cone fluxes predicted by theoretical wave-particle diffusion rates into the loss cone is used to test the validity of particle loss mechanisms predicted by the different theories. Preliminary results are presented of PFISR inversions of the D-region ionization to quantify the loss cone flux distribution at the geomagnetic equator. Additional ground- and space-based data are used to provide context for these events. In-situ RBSP data and ground-based PFISR observations are combined to obtain new insights into wave-particle mechanisms that can cause radiation belt loss to the atmosphere.