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Title: Properties of Lightning Generated Whistlers Based on Van Allen Probes Observations and Their Global Effects on Radiation Belt Electron Loss
Abstract

Lightning generated whistlers (LGWs) play an important role in precipitating energetic electrons in the Earth's inner radiation belt and beyond. Wave burst data from the Van Allen Probes are used to unambiguously identify LGWs and analyze their properties atL < 4 by extending their frequencies down to ~100 Hz for the first time. The statistical results show that LGWs typically occur at frequencies from 100 Hz to 10 kHz with the major wave power below the equatorial lower hybrid resonance frequency, and their wave amplitudes are typically strong atL < 3 with an occurrence rate up to ~30% on the nightside. The lifetime calculation indicates that LGWs play an important role in scattering electrons from tens of keV to several MeV atL < ~2.5. Our newly constructed LGW models are critical for evaluating the global effects of LGWs on energetic electron loss atL < 4.

 
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Award ID(s):
1847818
NSF-PAR ID:
10444438
Author(s) / Creator(s):
 ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  
Publisher / Repository:
DOI PREFIX: 10.1029
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Geophysical Research Letters
Volume:
47
Issue:
17
ISSN:
0094-8276
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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