SM009-07
Spatial and Temporal Variability of Radiation Belt Electrons Using FIREBIRD-II and the Van Allen Probes

Monday, 7 December 2020: 17:48
Virtual
Timothy Raeder1, Chia-Lin Huang1, Katharine Duderstadt1, J Bernard Blake2, Alexander B Crew3, Arlo Johnson4, Craig Kletzing5, David M Klumpar4, Anthony Saikin6, John Glen Sample4, Mykhaylo Shumko7, Sonya S Smith1 and Harlan E. Spence1, (1)University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, United States, (2)The Aerospace Corporation, Los Angeles, CA, United States, (3)Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD, United States, (4)Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States, (5)University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States, (6)University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States, (7)NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, United States
Abstract:
The spatial and temporal distribution of high energy electron precipitation from the Van Allen radiation belts is not well-understood. The FIREBIRD-II mission (2015-present) and the Van Allen Probes (2012-2019) provide a unique opportunity to examine the behaviors and drivers of high energy electron precipitation. This study quantifies electron precipitation as a function of radial distance (L-shell), local time (MLT), hemisphere, and geomagnetic indices. FIREBIRD-II observations of electron precipitation were observed to peak at L-shell 4-6, with peak precipitation decreasing and shifting to higher L-shell over time. Regions of elevated electron precipitation were identified at L-shell 4-6 at late dawn (MLT 6-9) and dusk (MLT 15-21). Electron precipitation was observed to be elevated during increased geomagnetic activity. In addition, this work searches for connections between EMIC waves observed by the Van Allen Probes and electron precipitation observed by FIREBIRD-II. During times of observed EMIC activity by the Van Allen Probes the FIREBIRD-II satellites recorded increased electron precipitation, with some MLT regions of increased activity agreeing with previous studies on EMIC occurrence rates.
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