Double structure in the outer electron radiation belt during geomagnetic activity

Abstract

With the German research satellite AZUR we observed repeatedly at low altitudes in the outer electron radiation belt, a double structure lasting from 6 to 8 days which is very distinct for energies >3-2 MeV. This phenomenon is discussed for a small and large geomagnetic storm by using simultaneous measurements of the geosynchronous ATS 5 satellite and magnetograms of polar stations. The double structure can probably be explained by a loss mechanism for relativistic electrons near the plasmapause due to a parasitic cyclotron interaction process with ion-cyclotron waves proposed by Thorne and Kennel. The example with the large geomagnetic storm also gives evidence for the injection and acceleration of high energy electrons in the outer radiation belt.