Energetic proton precipitation related to ion–cyclotron waves

Abstract

This brief review summarizes recent findings related to particle precipitation associated with electromagnetic ion–cyclotron (EMIC) waves seen on the ground as geomagnetic Pc1 and IPDP pulsations. Particle precipitation signatures of ion–cyclotron interaction are described as revealed from low-altitude satellite measurements of the energetic proton fluxes as well as from observations of the proton aurora. As a result, localized proton precipitation patterns situated equatorward of the isotropy boundary are disclosed. One of the patterns is a proton precipitation spot in the morning sector, presumably mapped onto plasmapause; another one is an elongated region of the precipitation, presumably mapped onto the plasmaspheric plume. Clear evidence of the pitch-angle scattering associated with the ion–cyclotron wave activity is found near the equatorial plane in the region conjugated with the localized proton precipitation at low altitude. Thus, the revealed precipitation patterns determine the location of the region of intense pitch-angle scattering of energetic protons, and, therefore, their observations can be used to monitor the region of the ion–cyclotron interaction and to study its origin and properties. Some examples of such application of the low-altitude observations of energetic particles are described.