CRRES observations of particle flux dropout events
Abstract
The complete disappearance of energetic electrons was observed by CRRES in the near geosynchronous region in 7.5% of the orbits examined. These total flux dropouts were defined by the fluxes rapidly dropping to levels below the sensitivity of the MEA energetic electron spectrometer on the CRRES satellite. They were separated into those that were only energetic electron dropouts and those that were associated with energetic ion and plasma dropouts. Approximately 20% of the events showed dropouts of all particle fluxes, and these were usually coincident with large increases in the local magnetic intensity and signatures of strong current systems. The energetic particle instruments and magnetometer on CRRES provide a detailed picture of the particle and field responses to these unusual conditions. Both the local morning and dusk events were associated with strong azimuthal (eastward) and radial changes in the magnetic field indicative of a strong current system approaching and sometimes crossing the CRRES position at the time of the flux dropouts. The direction of the field changes and the details of particle observations are consistent with CRRES passing through the plasma sheet boundary layer and entering the tail lobe for a significant number of the events.
Department
Physics
Publication Date
12-31-1996
Journal Title
Advances in Space Research
Publisher
Elsevier
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
10.1016/0273-1177(95)00991-4
Document Type
Article
Recommended Citation
Fennell, J.; Roeder, J.; Spence, Harlan E.; Singer, H.; Korth, A.; Grande, M.; and Vampola, A., "CRRES observations of particle flux dropout events" (1996). Advances in Space Research. 267.
https://scholars.unh.edu/physics_facpub/267
Rights
Copyright © 1996, Elsevier