Authors
Richard B Horne, Richard M Thorne, Sarah A Glauert, Jay M Albert, Nigel P Meredith, Roger R Anderson
Publication date
2005/3
Journal
Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics
Volume
110
Issue
A3
Description
Electron acceleration inside the Earth's magnetosphere is required to explain increases in the ∼MeV radiation belt electron flux during magnetically disturbed periods. Recent studies show that electron acceleration by whistler mode chorus waves becomes most efficient just outside the plasmapause, near L = 4.5, where peaks in the electron phase space density are observed. We present CRRES data on the spatial distribution of chorus emissions during active conditions. The wave data are used to calculate the pitch angle and energy diffusion rates in three magnetic local time (MLT) sectors and to obtain a timescale for acceleration. We show that chorus emissions in the prenoon sector accelerate electrons most efficiently at latitudes above 15° for equatorial pitch angles between 20° and 60°. As electrons drift around the Earth, they are scattered to large pitch angles and further accelerated by chorus on the …
Total citations
200520062007200820092010201120122013201420152016201720182019202020212022202320241319233939344245334551343046282936303021
Scholar articles
RB Horne, RM Thorne, SA Glauert, JM Albert… - Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics, 2005