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Upper limit on the inner radiation belt MeV electron intensity
X Li1, R S Selesnick2, D N Baker3
1Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, Colorado, USA ; Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences, University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, Colorado, USA.
Journal of Geophysical Research. Space Physics
|July 14, 2015
Summary
MeV electron fluxes in the inner radiation belt are significantly lower than previously modeled. New data suggests actual intensities are much lower, improving our understanding of Earth's magnetosphere.
Area of Science:
- Space physics
- Plasma physics
- Radiation belt research
Background:
- Energetic protons in the inner radiation belt create background noise for instruments.
- Previous models (AE8, AE9) may overestimate MeV electron fluxes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify upper limits of MeV electron fluxes in the inner radiation belt.
- To compare new measurements with existing space weather models.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from the Relativistic Electron and Proton Telescope (REPT) on the Van Allen Probes.
- Utilizing measurements from the Colorado Student Space Weather Experiment (CSSWE) CubeSat.
Main Results:
- Sub-MeV electrons are confirmed in the inner belt.
- Upper limits for MeV electrons are quantified and found to be an order of magnitude lower than AE8/AE9 models.
- Higher-energy electron measurements (>1.6 MeV) were indistinguishable from background noise in some instruments.
Conclusions:
- Actual MeV electron intensities in the inner belt are likely much lower than previously estimated.
- This finding has profound implications for radiation belt models and understanding magnetospheric dynamics.
- Further research is needed for a more detailed understanding of relativistic electrons.
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