| Title | Dynamics of electron flux in the slot region and geomagnetic activity |
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| Author | Nikitina, L ;
Trichtchenko, L |
| Source | Space Weather vol. 19, issue 4, e2020SW002661, 2021 p. 1-19, https://doi.org/10.1029/2020SW002661  Open Access |
| Image |  |
| Year | 2021 |
| Alt Series | Natural Resources Canada, Contribution Series 20210034 |
| Publisher | American Geophysical Union |
| Publisher | Wiley |
| Document | serial |
| Lang. | English |
| Media | paper; digital; on-line |
| File format | pdf; html |
| Subjects | geophysics; Science and Technology; Nature and Environment; Health and Safety; geomagnetism; geomagnetic variations; magnetosphere; satellites; statistical analyses; HEO-3; Radiation |
| Illustrations | time series; bar graphs; plots; tables |
| Program | Canadian Hazard Information Service Geomagnetism
and space weather |
| Released | 2021 03 25 |
| Abstract | The slot region between the radiation belts in the magnetosphere is statistically less populated by the energetic electrons, which makes it attractive in the design considerations of the satellite
missions. As has been shown in the last decades, the dynamics of this region is complicated, with strong enhancements of electron density associated with space weather events. This paper provides an analysis of the dynamics of electron flux in
1998-2007 with specific attention to slot filling events and preceding geomagnetic activity. Flux of energetic electrons, with energies E > 0.63 MeV, E > 1.5 MeV, and E > 3 MeV, was obtained from detectors on board the HEO-3 satellite in highly
elliptical orbit. To evaluate geomagnetic conditions, associated with enhancement of electron flux, all the 'slot filling events' were studied together with geomagnetic activity provided by Dst and Kp global indices as well as with the hourly range
indices of geomagnetic variations at mid-latitude. These geomagnetic indices were used for assessment of a threshold and frequency of occurrence of slot filling events. Regression analysis has been used to find a relationship between the maximum
filling of the slot region due to space weather event and the preceding geomagnetic activity level. Influence of the cumulative time of periods of enhanced geomagnetic activity to the variation of the electron flux in the slot region has been
analyzed. Suitability of different indices of geomagnetic activity for estimation of the rate of occurrence of slot filling events and for assessment of electron flux in the slot region is discussed. |
| Summary | (Plain Language Summary, not published)
Magnetosphere of the Earth consists of energetic particles trapped by the magnetic field of the Earth. This paper provides analysis of radiation in the
slot area which separate two electron radiation belts in the magnetosphere. Traditionally, the slot region was considered to be stable with low level of radiation. But in the last decades measurements of energetic particles demonstrate large
variability of radiation in this area, especially after strong space weather events when this region is filled by energetic electrons. This paper provides an analysis of the dynamics of electrons in the slot region with specific attention to slot
filling events. It was demonstrated that frequency and intensity of slot filling events are strongly correlated with large geomagnetic variations, and indices of geomagnetic activity can be used for assessment of electron flux in this region. The
obtained results can be used for radiation hazard assessment for spacecrafts passing through the slot region. |
| GEOSCAN ID | 328271 |
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