Scaling laws for the inner structure of the radiation belts
Abstract
Accurately modeling the evolution of the electron radiation belts within the plasmasphere represents both an imperative goal for space weather forecasting and a great challenge. Combining previously developed approximate analytical expressions of electron lifetimes with recent statistical models of plasma density, ULF, whistler‐mode, and electromagnetic ion cyclotron waves, we demonstrate that geomagnetic activity and plasma density actually govern the inner structure of the radiation belts through several simple analytical scaling laws when Kp L shell parameter space are straightforwardly explained. In particular, the upper energy limit of significant electron fluxes at L = 1.5 is estimated as ∼1 MeV in agreement with recent satellite observations. This approximate analytical model represents a very simple and powerful tool for exploring and better understanding the complex variations of the inner structure of the radiation belts with geomagnetic activity during relatively quiet times.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Apr 14, 2017
- Source ID
- 10.1002/2017gl072987
Entities
People
- Anton V. Artemyev
- D. Mourenas
- Qianli Ma
- Wen Li
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- Boston University
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- National Science Foundation
- University of California
- University of California, Los Angeles