HR: 0800h
AN: SM41A-1126    [Abstracts]
TI: Evolving Phase Space Density Distribution of Relativistic Electrons in Storm Times
AU: * Chen, Y
EM: cheny@lanl.gov
AF: Los Alamos National Laboratory, PO Box 1663, MS D466, Los Alamos, NM 87544
AU: Friedel, R H
EM: rfriedel@lanl.gov
AF: Los Alamos National Laboratory, PO Box 1663, MS D466, Los Alamos, NM 87544
AU: Reeves, G D
EM: reeves@lanl.gov
AF: Los Alamos National Laboratory, PO Box 1663, MS D466, Los Alamos, NM 87544
AB: Understanding the behavior of relativistic electrons in the Earth's radiation belts in geomagnetic storm times is a critical prerequisite for space weather prediction. Intensive efforts have been made to describe the relativistic electrons dynamics in storm times and some competing theories and models have been developed. However, the differentiation of those models requests extensive comparisons with in-situ data. To fulfill it, this study will conduct a survey of the temporal evolving phase space density (PSD) distribution of relativistic electrons in storm periods. Data used in this work include electron and magnetic field measurements from multiple spacecraft, which are the LANL GEO satellites, GOES satellites, POLAR and CLUSTER. With orbits going through all key inner magnetospheric areas, those satellites form a constellation which provides simultaneous measurements at multiple locations so that spatial factor can be easily separated from temporal one. Additionally, the fact that detected electrons have a wide range of adiabatic invariants, covering both equatorially and off-equatorially bounded ones and L*~2-9, allows tracing a specified electron population across the adiabatic phase space. The calculation of PSD in quiet times is first implemented for the inter-satellite calibration. Thereafter the PSD in storm periods can be deduced based on the optimized magnetospheric magnetic field model developed in previous study. To constrain the errors in the PSD calculation, the Liouville's Theorem is employed to check the reliabilities of calibration and magnetic field in both steps. This work will establish the radial PSD gradient as a function of both universal time and local time, which can serve later as the reference of differentiating physics processes associated with acceleration and loss of relativistic electron during storm phases.
DE: 2720 Energetic particles, trapped
DE: 2730 Magnetosphere--inner
DE: 2740 Magnetospheric configuration and dynamics
DE: 2788 Storms and substorms
SC: SPA-Magnetospheric Physics [SM]
MN: 2004 AGU Fall Meeting