TY - JOUR A1 - Kim, Kyung-Chan A1 - Shprits, Yuri T1 - Statistical Analysis of Hiss Waves in Plasmaspheric Plumes Using Van Allen Probe Observations JF - Journal of geophysical research : Space physics N2 - Plasmaspheric hiss waves commonly observed in high‐density regions in the Earth's magnetosphere are known to be one of the main contributors to the loss of radiation belt electrons. There has been a lot of effort to investigate the distributions of hiss waves in the plasmasphere, while relatively little attention has been given to those in the plasmaspheric plume. In this study, we present for the first time a statistical analysis of the occurrence and the spatial distribution of wave amplitudes and wave normal angles for hiss waves in plumes using Van Allen Probes observations during the period of October 2012 to December 2016. Statistical results show that a wide range of hiss wave amplitudes in plumes from a few picotesla to >100 pT is observed, but a modest (<20 pT) wave amplitude is more commonly observed regardless of geomagnetic activity in both the midnight‐to‐dawn and dusk sector. By contrast, stronger amplitude hiss occurs preferentially during geomagnetically active times in the dusk sector. The wave normal angles are distributed over a broad range from 0° to 90° with a bimodal distribution: a quasi‐field‐aligned population (<20°) with an occurrence rate of <60% and an oblique one (>50°) with a relative low occurrence rate of ≲20%. Therefore, from a statistical point of view, we confirm that the hiss intensity (a few tens of picotesla) and field‐aligned hiss wave adopted in previous simulation studies are a reasonable assumption but stress that the activity dependence of the wave amplitude should be considered. KW - plasmaspheric hiss KW - plasmaspheric plume KW - Van Allen Probes Y1 - 2019 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1029/2018JA026458 SN - 2169-9380 SN - 2169-9402 VL - 124 IS - 3 SP - 1904 EP - 1915 PB - American Geophysical Union CY - Washington ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Zhu, Hui A1 - Shprits, Yuri A1 - Spasojevic, M. A1 - Drozdov, Alexander T1 - New hiss and chorus waves diffusion coefficient parameterizations from the Van Allen Probes and their effect on long-term relativistic electron radiation-belt VERB simulations JF - Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics N2 - New wave frequency and amplitude models for the nightside and dayside chorus waves are built based on measurements from the Electric and Magnetic Field Instrument Suite and Integrated Science (EMFISIS) instrument onboard the Van Allen Probes. The corresponding 3D diffusion coefficients are systematically obtained. Compared with previous commonly-used (typical) parameterizations, the new parameterizations result in differences in diffusion rates that depend on the energy and pitch angle. Furthermore, one-year 3D diffusive simulations are performed using the Versatile Electron Radiation Belt (VERB) code. Both typical and new wave parameterizations simulation results are in a good agreement with observations at 0.9 MeV. However, the new parameterizations for nightside chorus better reproduce the observed electron fluxes. These parameterizations will be incorporated into future modeling efforts. KW - Inner magnetosphere KW - Radiation belts KW - Chorus waves KW - Diffusion coefficients KW - VERB code Y1 - 2019 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jastp.2019.105090 SN - 1364-6826 SN - 1879-1824 VL - 193 PB - Elsevier CY - Oxford ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Drozdov, Alexander A1 - Aseev, Nikita A1 - Effenberger, Frederic A1 - Turner, Drew L. A1 - Saikin, Anthony A1 - Shprits, Yuri T1 - Storm Time Depletions of Multi-MeV Radiation Belt Electrons Observed at Different Pitch Angles JF - Journal of geophysical research : Space physics N2 - During geomagnetic storms, the rapid depletion of the high-energy (several MeV) outer radiation belt electrons is the result of loss to the interplanetary medium through the magnetopause, outward radial diffusion, and loss to the atmosphere due to wave-particle interactions. We have performed a statistical study of 110 storms using pitch angle resolved electron flux measurements from the Van Allen Probes mission and found that inside of the radiation belt (L* = 3 - 5) the number of storms that result in depletion of electrons with equatorial pitch angle alpha(eq) = 30 degrees is higher than number of storms that result in depletion of electrons with equatorial pitch angle alpha(eq) = 75 degrees. We conclude that this result is consistent with electron scattering by whistler and electromagnetic ion cyclotron waves. At the outer edge of the radiation belt (L* >= 5.2) the number of storms that result in depletion is also large (similar to 40-50%), emphasizing the significance of the magnetopause shadowing effect and outward radial transport. Y1 - 2019 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1029/2019JA027332 SN - 2169-9380 SN - 2169-9402 VL - 124 IS - 11 SP - 8943 EP - 8953 PB - American Geophysical Union CY - Washington ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Castillo, Angelica M. A1 - Shprits, Yuri A1 - Ganushkina, Natalia A1 - Drozdov, Alexander A1 - Aseev, Nikita A1 - Wang, Dedong A1 - Dubyagin, Stepan T1 - Simulations of the inner magnetospheric energetic electrons using the IMPTAM-VERB coupled model JF - Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics N2 - In this study, we present initial results of the coupling between the Inner Magnetospheric Particle Transport and Acceleration Model (IMPTAM) and the Versatile Electron Radiation Belt (VERB-3D) code. IMPTAM traces electrons of 10-100 keV energies from the plasma sheet (L = 9 Re) to inner L-shell regions. The flux evolution modeled by IMPTAM is used at the low energy and outer L* computational boundaries of the VERB code (assuming a dipole approximation) to perform radiation belt simulations of energetic electrons. The model was tested on the March 17th, 2013 storm, for a six-day period. Four different simulations were performed and their results compared to satellites observations from Van Allen probes and GOES. The coupled IMPTAM-VERB model reproduces evolution and storm-time features of electron fluxes throughout the studied storm in agreement with the satellite data (within similar to 0.5 orders of magnitude). Including dynamics of the low energy population at L* = 6.6 increases fluxes closer to the heart of the belt and has a strong impact in the VERB simulations at all energies. However, inclusion of magnetopause losses leads to drastic flux decreases even below L* = 3. The dynamics of low energy electrons (max. 10s of keV) do not affect electron fluxes at energies >= 900 keV. Since the IMPTAM-VERB coupled model is only driven by solar wind parameters and the Dst and Kp indexes, it is suitable as a forecasting tool. In this study, we demonstrate that the estimation of electron dynamics with satellite-data-independent models is possible and very accurate. KW - Electron populations KW - Radiation belts KW - IMPTAM KW - VERB Y1 - 2019 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jastp.2019.05.014 SN - 1364-6826 SN - 1879-1824 VL - 191 PB - Elsevier CY - Oxford ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Woodfield, Emma E. A1 - Glauert, Saraha A. A1 - Menietti, J. Douglas A1 - Averkamp, Terrance F. A1 - Horne, Richard B. A1 - Shprits, Yuri T1 - Rapid Electron Acceleration in Low‐Density Regions of Saturn's Radiation Belt by Whistler Mode Chorus Waves JF - Geophysical research letters N2 - Electron acceleration at Saturn due to whistler mode chorus waves has previously been assumed to be ineffective; new data closer to the planet show it can be very rapid (factor of 104 flux increase at 1 MeV in 10 days compared to factor of 2). A full survey of chorus waves at Saturn is combined with an improved plasma density model to show that where the plasma frequency falls below the gyrofrequency additional strong resonances are observed favoring electron acceleration. This results in strong chorus acceleration between approximately 2.5 R-S and 5.5 R-S outside which adiabatic transport may dominate. Strong pitch angle dependence results in butterfly pitch angle distributions that flatten over a few days at 100s keV, tens of days at MeV energies which may explain observations of butterfly distributions of MeV electrons near L = 3. Including cross terms in the simulations increases the tendency toward butterfly distributions. Plain Language Summary Radiation belts are hazardous regions found around several of the planets in our Solar System. They consist of very hot, electrically charged particles trapped in the magnetic field of the planet. At Saturn the most important way to heat these particles has for many years been thought to involve the particles drifting closer toward the planet. This paper adds to the emerging idea at Saturn that a different way to heat the particles is also possible where the heating is done by waves, in a similar way to what we find at the Earth. We use recent information from the Cassini spacecraft on the number and location of particles and also of the waves strength and location combined with computer simulations to show that a particular wave called chorus is excellent at heating the particles where the surrounding number of cold particles is low. Y1 - 2019 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1029/2019GL083071 SN - 0094-8276 SN - 1944-8007 VL - 46 IS - 13 SP - 7191 EP - 7198 PB - American Geophysical Union CY - Washington ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Denton, Richard E. A1 - Ofman, L. A1 - Shprits, Yuri A1 - Bortnik, J. A1 - Millan, R. M. A1 - Rodger, C. J. A1 - da Silva, C. L. A1 - Rogers, B. N. A1 - Hudson, M. K. A1 - Liu, K. A1 - Min, K. A1 - Glocer, A. A1 - Komar, C. T1 - Pitch Angle Scattering of Sub-MeV Relativistic Electrons by Electromagnetic Ion Cyclotron Waves JF - Journal of geophysical research : Space physics N2 - Electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves have long been considered to be a significant loss mechanism for relativistic electrons. This has most often been attributed to resonant interactions with the highest amplitude waves. But recent observations have suggested that the dominant energy of electrons precipitated to the atmosphere may often be relatively low, less than 1 MeV, whereas the minimum resonant energy of the highest amplitude waves is often greater than 2 MeV. Here we use relativistic electron test particle simulations in the wavefields of a hybrid code simulation of EMIC waves in dipole geometry in order to show that significant pitch angle scattering can occur due to interaction with low-amplitude short-wavelength EMIC waves. In the case we examined, these waves are in the H band (at frequencies above the He+ gyrofrequency), even though the highest amplitude waves were in the He band frequency range (below the He+ gyrofrequency). We also present wave power distributions for 29 EMIC simulations in straight magnetic field line geometry that show that the high wave number portion of the spectrum is in every case mostly due to the H band waves. Though He band waves are often associated with relativistic electron precipitation, it is possible that the He band waves do not directly scatter the sub-megaelectron volts (sub-MeV) electrons, but that the presence of He band waves is associated with high plasma density which lowers the minimum resonant energy so that these electrons can more easily resonate with the H band waves. KW - electromagnetic ion cyclotron waves KW - EMIC KW - relativistic electron precipitation KW - pitch angle scattering KW - wave particle interaction KW - radiation belts Y1 - 2019 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1029/2018JA026384 SN - 2169-9402 VL - 124 IS - 7 SP - 5610 EP - 5626 PB - American Geophysical Union CY - Washington ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Qin, Murong A1 - Hudson, Mary A1 - Li, Zhao A1 - Millan, Robyn A1 - Shen, Xiaochen A1 - Shprits, Yuri A1 - Woodger, Leslie A1 - Jaynes, Allison A1 - Kletzing, Craig T1 - Investigating loss of relativistic electrons associated with EMIC Waves at low L values on 22 June 2015 JF - Journal of geophysical research : Space physics N2 - In this study, rapid loss of relativistic radiation belt electrons at low L* values (2.4-3.2) during a strong geomagnetic storm on 22 June 2015 is investigated along with five possible loss mechanisms. Both the particle and wave data are obtained from the Van Allen Probes. Duskside H+ band electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves were observed during a rapid decrease of relativistic electrons with energy above 5.2 MeV occurring outside the plasma sphere during extreme magnetopause compression. Lower He+ composition and enriched O+ composition are found compared to typical values assumed in other studies of cyclotron resonant scattering of relativistic electrons by EMIC waves. Quantitative analysis demonstrates that even with the existence of He+ band EMIC waves, it is the H+ band EMIC waves that are likely to cause the depletion at small pitch angles and strong gradients in pitch angle distributions of relativistic electrons with energy above 5.2 MeV at low L values for this event. Very low frequency wave activity at other magnetic local time can be favorable for the loss of relativistic electrons at higher pitch angles. An illustrative calculation that combines the nominal pitch angle scattering rate due to whistler mode chorus at high pitch angles with the H+ band EMIC wave loss rate at low pitch angles produces loss on time scale observed at L = 2.4-3.2. At high L values and lower energies, radial loss to the magnetopause is a viable explanation. Y1 - 2019 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1029/2018JA025726 SN - 2169-9380 SN - 2169-9402 VL - 124 IS - 6 SP - 4022 EP - 4036 PB - American Geophysical Union CY - Washington ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Shprits, Yuri A1 - Vasile, Ruggero A1 - Zhelayskaya, Irina S. T1 - Nowcasting and Predicting the Kp Index Using Historical Values and Real-Time Observations JF - Space Weather: The International Journal of Research and Applications N2 - Current algorithms for the real-time prediction of the Kp index use a combination of models empirically driven by solar wind measurements at the L1 Lagrange point and historical values of the index. In this study, we explore the limitations of this approach, examining the forecast for short and long lead times using measurements at L1 and Kp time series as input to artificial neural networks. We explore the relative efficiency of the solar wind-based predictions, predictions based on recurrence, and predictions based on persistence. Our modeling results show that for short-term forecasts of approximately half a day, the addition of the historical values of Kp to the measured solar wind values provides a barely noticeable improvement. For a longer-term forecast of more than 2 days, predictions can be made using recurrence only, while solar wind measurements provide very little improvement for a forecast with long horizon times. We also examine predictions for disturbed and quiet geomagnetic activity conditions. Our results show that the paucity of historical measurements of the solar wind for high Kp results in a lower accuracy of predictions during disturbed conditions. Rebalancing of input data can help tailor the predictions for more disturbed conditions. KW - Kp index KW - geomagnetic activity KW - empirical prediction KW - solar wind KW - forecast KW - AI Y1 - 2019 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1029/2018SW002141 SN - 1542-7390 VL - 17 IS - 8 SP - 1219 EP - 1229 PB - American Geophysical Union CY - Washington ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Postnov, K. A1 - Oskinova, Lidia M. A1 - Torrejon, J. M. T1 - A propelling neutron star in the enigmatic Be-star gamma Cassiopeia JF - Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society N2 - gamma Cassiopeia (gamma Cas), is known to be a binary system consisting of a Be-type star and a low-mass (M similar to 1M(circle dot)) companion of unknown nature orbiting in the Be-disc plane. Here, we apply the quasi-spherical accretion theory on to a compact magnetized star and show that if the low-mass companion of gamma Cas is a fast spinning neutron star, the key observational signatures of. Cas are remarkably well reproduced. Direct accretion on to this fast rotating neutron star is impeded by the propeller mechanism. In this case, around the neutron star magnetosphere a hot shell is formed which emits thermal X-rays in qualitative and quantitative agreement with observed properties of the X-ray emission from gamma Cas. We suggest that gamma Cas and its analogues constitute a new subclass of Be-type X-ray binaries hosting rapidly rotating neutron stars formed in supernova explosions with small kicks. The subsequent evolutionary stage of gamma Cas and its analogues should be the X Per-type binaries comprising low-luminosity slowly rotating X-ray pulsars. The model explains the enigmatic X-ray emission from gamma Cas, and also establishes evolutionary connections between various types of rotating magnetized neutron stars in Be-binaries. KW - stars: emission-line, Be KW - stars: neutron Y1 - 2017 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1093/mnrasl/slw223 SN - 0035-8711 SN - 1365-2966 VL - 465 IS - 1 SP - L119 EP - L123 PB - Oxford Univ. Press CY - Oxford ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Markötter, Henning A1 - Sintschuk, Michael A1 - Britzke, Ricardo A1 - Dayani, Shahabeddin A1 - Bruno, Giovanni T1 - Upgraded imaging capabilities at the BAMline (BESSY II) JF - Journal of synchrotron radiation N2 - The BAMline at the BESSY II synchrotron X-ray source has enabled research for more than 20 years in widely spread research fields such as materials science, biology, cultural heritage and medicine. As a nondestructive characterization method, synchrotron X-ray imaging, especially tomography, plays a particularly important role in structural characterization. A recent upgrade of key equipment of the BAMline widens its imaging capabilities: shorter scan acquisition times are now possible, in situ and op erando studies can now be routinely performed, and different energy spectra can easily be set up. In fact, the upgraded double-multilayer monochromator brings full flexibility by yielding different energy spectra to optimize flux and energy resolution as desired. The upgraded detector (based on an sCMOS camera) also allows exploiting the higher flux with reduced readout times. Furthermore, an installed slip ring allows the sample stage to continuously rotate. The latter feature enables tomographic observation of processes occurring in the time scale of a few seconds. KW - synchrotron radiation KW - computed tomography KW - double-multilayer monochromators KW - pink beams KW - X-ray optics Y1 - 2022 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1107/S1600577522007342 SN - 1600-5775 VL - 29 IS - 5 SP - 1292 EP - 1298 PB - International Union of Crystallography CY - Chester ER -