Explaining the dynamics of the ultra-relativistic third Van Allen radiation belt

Mann, Ian R. and Ozeke, L.G. and Murphy, Kyle R. and Clauderpierre, S. G. and Turner, D. L and Baker, D. N and Rae, I. J. and Kale, A. and Milling, David and Boyd, A. J. and Spence, H. E. and Reeves, G. D. and Singer, H. J and Dimitrakoudis, S. and Daglis, I. A. and Honary, Farideh (2016) Explaining the dynamics of the ultra-relativistic third Van Allen radiation belt. Nature Physics, 12 (10). pp. 978-983. ISSN 1745-2473

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Abstract

Since the discovery of the Van Allen radiation belts over 50 years ago, an explanation for their complete dynamics has remained elusive. Especially challenging is understanding the recently discovered ultra-relativistic third electron radiation belt. Current theory asserts that loss in the heart of the outer belt, essential to the formation of the third belt, must be controlled by high-frequency plasma wave–particle scattering into the atmosphere, via whistler mode chorus, plasmaspheric hiss, or electromagnetic ion cyclotron waves. However, this has failed to accurately reproduce the third belt. Using a data driven, time-dependent specification of ultra-low-frequency (ULF) waves we show for the first time how the third radiation belt is established as a simple, elegant consequence of storm-time extremely fast outward ULF wave transport. High-frequency wave–particle scattering loss into the atmosphere is not needed in this case. When rapid ULF wave transport coupled to a dynamic boundary is accurately specified, the sensitive dynamics controlling the enigmatic ultra-relativistic third radiation belt are naturally explained

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
Nature Physics
Additional Information:
© 2016 Macmillan Publishers Limited, part of Springer Nature.
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/3100
Subjects:
?? PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY(ALL) ??
ID Code:
82108
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
11 Oct 2016 12:10
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
21 Sep 2023 02:08