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Modeling the Contribution of Precipitation Loss to a Radiation Belt Electron Dropout Observed by Van Allen Probes
  • Zhi Gu Li,
  • Weichao Tu,
  • Richard S. Selesnick
Zhi Gu Li
West Virginia University

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Weichao Tu
West Virginia University
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Richard S. Selesnick
Air Force Research Laboratory
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Abstract

A drift-diffusion model is used to simulate the low-altitude electron distribution, accounting for azimuthal drift, pitch angle diffusion, and atmospheric backscattering effects during a rapid electron dropout event on August 21st, 2013, at L=4.5. Additional external loss effects are introduced during times when the low-altitude electron distribution cannot be reproduced by diffusion alone. The model utilizes low-altitude electron count rate data from five POES/MetOp satellites to quantify pitch angle diffusion rates. Low-altitude data provides critical constraint on the model because it includes the drift loss cone region where the electron distribution in longitude is highly dependent on the balance between azimuthal drift and pitch angle diffusion. Furthermore, a newly derived angular response function for the detectors onboard POES/MetOp is employed to accurately incorporate the bounce loss cone measurements, which have been previously contaminated by electrons from outside the nominal field-of-view. While constrained by low-altitude data, the model also shows reasonable agreement with high-altitude data. Pitch angle diffusion rates during the event are quantified and are faster at lower energies. Precipitation is determined to account for all of the total loss observed for 350 keV electrons, 76% for 600 keV and 45% for 900 keV. Predictions made in the MeV range are deemed unreliable as the integral energy channels E3 and P6 fail to provide the necessary constraint at relativistic energies.
15 Oct 2023Submitted to ESS Open Archive
17 Oct 2023Published in ESS Open Archive