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Comparative Observations of the Outer Belt Electron Fluxes and Precipitated Relativistic Electrons
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  • Sergio E Vidal-Luengo,
  • Lauren W Blum,
  • Alessandro Bruno,
  • A. W Ficklin,
  • Georgia de Nolfo,
  • T. Gregory Guzik,
  • Ryuho Kataoka,
  • Shoji Torii
Sergio E Vidal-Luengo
University of Colorado

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Lauren W Blum
University of Colorado Boulder
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Alessandro Bruno
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
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A. W Ficklin
Louisiana State University
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Georgia de Nolfo
Goddard Space Flight Center (NASA)
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T. Gregory Guzik
Louisiana Space Grant / NASA EPSCoR Program
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Ryuho Kataoka
National Institute of Polar Research
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Shoji Torii
Waseda University
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Abstract

Relativistic electron precipitation (REP) refers to the release of high energy electrons initially trapped in the outer radiation belt that precipitate into the Earth’s upper atmosphere. REP plays an important role in the magnetosphere as it contributes to the fast depletion of radiation belt electron flux. This study presents a statistical analysis of the REP observations made by the Calorimetric Electron Telescope (CALET) experiment on board the International Space Station (2015- present). Specifically, a catalog based on count rates from the two top scintillators constituting the top charge detector, sensitive to electrons with energies $>$1.5 MeV and $>$3.4 MeV, respectively. Data from the CALET experiment reveals a previously unreported semi-annual variation in the occurrence of REP events. The REP periodicities are similar to those observed for trapped electrons in the outer belt, and correlates with the occurrence of solar wind high-speed streams and the solar cycle variations.
18 May 2024Submitted to ESS Open Archive
20 May 2024Published in ESS Open Archive