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Uncovering the nonadiabatic response of geosynchronous electrons to geomagnetic disturbance

October 1, 2012

We describe an energy spectrum method for scaling electron integral flux, which is measured at a constant energy, to phase space density at a constant value of the first adiabatic invariant which removes much of the variation due to reversible adiabatic effects. Applying this method to nearly a solar cycle (1995 - 2006) of geosynchronous electron integral flux (E>2.0MeV) from the GOES satellites, we see that much of the diurnal variation in electron phase space density at constant energy can be removed by the transformation to phase space density at constant μ (4000 MeV/G). This allows us a clearer picture of underlying non-adiabatic electron population changes due to geomagnetic activity. Using scaled phase space density, we calculate the percentage of geomagnetic storms resulting in an increase, decrease or no change in geosynchronous electrons as 38%, 7%, and 55%, respectively. We also show examples of changes in the electron population that may be different than the unscaled fluxes alone suggest. These examples include sudden electron enhancements during storms which appear during the peak of negative Dst for μ-scaled phase space density, contrary to the slow increase seen during the recovery phase for unscaled phase space density for the same event.

Publication Year 2012
Title Uncovering the nonadiabatic response of geosynchronous electrons to geomagnetic disturbance
DOI 10.1029/2012JA017543
Authors Jennifer Gannon, Scot R. Elkington, Terrance G. Onsager
Publication Type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Series Title Journal of Geophysical Research
Index ID 70045124
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization Geologic Hazards Science Center