Simulation of Van Allen probes plasmapause encounters

Authors

J. Goldstein, University of Texas at San AntonioFollow
S. De Pascuale, University of Iowa
C A. Kletzing, University of IowaFollow
W. S. Kurth, University of Iowa
K J. Genestreti, University of Texas at San Antonio
R. M. Skoug, Los Alamos National LaboratoryFollow
Bradford Larsen, University of New Hampshire
Lynn M. Kistler, University of New HampshireFollow
Christoforos Mouikis, University of New Hampshire - Main CampusFollow
Harlan E. Spence, University of New HampshireFollow

Abstract

Abstract

We use an E × B-driven plasmapause test particle (PTP) simulation to provide global contextual information for in situ measurements by the Van Allen Probes (Radiation Belt Storm Probes (RBSP)) during 15-20 January 2013. During 120 h of simulation time beginning on 15 January, geomagnetic activity produced three plumes. The third and largest simulated plume formed during enhanced convection on 17 January, and survived as a rotating, wrapped, residual plume for tens of hours. To validate the simulation, we compare its output with RBSP data. Virtual RBSP satellites recorded 28 virtual plasmapause encounters during 15-19 January. For 26 of 28 (92%) virtual crossings, there were corresponding actual RBSP encounters with plasmapause density gradients. The mean difference in encounter time between model and data is 36 min. The mean model-data difference in radial location is 0.40 ± 0.05 R_E. The model-data agreement is better for strong convection than for quiet or weakly disturbed conditions. On 18 January, both RBSP spacecraft crossed a tenuous, detached plasma feature at approximately the same time and nightside location as a wrapped residual plume, predicted by the model to have formed 32 h earlier on 17 January. The agreement between simulation and data indicates that the model-provided global information is adequate to correctly interpret the RBSP density observations. Key Points Model nightside plasmapause encounters agree with observations to within 0.4 REBoth RBSP satellites crossed features consistent with a 32 h old residual plumeModel-provided global context is adequate to interpret in situ density data.

Department

Physics

Publication Date

9-2014

Journal Title

Journal of Geophysical Research A: Space Physics

Publisher

American Geophysical Union Publications

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1002/2014JA020252

Document Type

Article

Recommended Citation

oldstein, J., Pascuale, S.D., Kletzing, C., Kurth, W., Genestreti, K.J., Skoug, R.M., Larsen, B.A., Kistler, L.M., Mouikis, C., Spence, H. Simulation of Van Allen probes plasmapause encounters. (2014) Journal of Geophysical Research A: Space Physics, 119 (9), pp. 7464-7484. doi:10.1002/2014JA020252

Rights

©2014. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved.