MAGNETOSPHERIC SUBSTORMS AND RELATIVISTIC ELECTRONS

Abstract

The most recent findings on the dynamics of the outer radiation belt (ORB) and the physics of magnetospheric substorms are examined. Specifically, we investigate the relationship between storm time substorms and the energetic electron population that forms the ORB. Traditionally, storm time substorms have been considered as the primary source of energetic electrons, which are further accelerated during storms to contribute to the formation of the ORB. However, several observations have demonstrated that large magnetospheric substorms can generate high-energy electrons even in the absence of magnetic storms. Substorms introduce dispersionless injections of energetic electrons deep into the magnetosphere from the geosynchronous orbit during storm times. The injected electrons undergo additional acceleration via the betatron mechanism during the storm recovery phase, thus increasing the ORB population. To gain a better understanding of this process, it is crucial to study plasma sheet turbulence, substorm onset processes, and the brightening of auroral arcs. By analyzing the aforementioned findings, this study aims to highlight the need for reanalyzing of the role of auroral processes in the formation of the ORB.