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We analyze the properties of relativistic (>700 keV) electron precipitation (REP) events measured by the low-Earth-orbit (LEO) POES/MetOp constellation of spacecraft from 2012 through 2023. Leveraging the different profiles of REP observed at LEO, we associate each event with its possible driver: waves or field line curvature scattering (FLCS). While waves typically precipitate electrons in a localized radial region within the outer radiation belt, FLCS drives energy-dependent precipitation at the edge of the belt. Wave-driven REP is detected at any MLT sector and L shell, with FLCS-driven REP occurring only over the nightside–a region where field line stretching is frequent. Wave-driven REP is broader in radial extent on the dayside and accompanied by proton precipitation over 03–23 MLT, either isolated or without a clear energy-dependent pattern, possibly implying that electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves are the primary driver. Across midnight, both wave-driven and FLCS-driven REP occur poleward of the proton isotropic boundary. On average, waves precipitate a higher flux of >700 keV electrons than FLCS. Both contribute to energy deposition into the atmosphere, estimated of a few MW. REP is more associated with substorm activity than storms, with FLCS-driven REP and wave-driven REP at low L shells occurring most often during strong activity (SML* < −600 nT). A preliminary analysis of the Solar Wind (SW) properties before the observed REP indicates a more sustained (∼5 h) dayside reconnection for FLCS-driven REP than for wave-driven REP (∼3 h). The magnetosphere appears more compressed during wave-driven REP, while FLCS-driven REP is associated with a faster SW of lower density. These findings are useful not only to quantify the contribution of >700 keV precipitation to the atmosphere but also to shed light on the typical properties of wave-driven vs FLCS-driven precipitation which can be assimilated into physics-based and/or predictive radiation belt models. In addition, the dataset of ∼9,400 REP events is made available to the community to enable future work.
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Propagating wave merging in a precipitation reaction
Propagating precipitation waves are a remarkable form of spatiotemporal behavior that arise through the coupling of reaction, diffusion, and precipitation. We study a system with a sodium hydroxide outer electrolyte and an aluminum hydroxide inner electrolyte. In a redissolution Liesegang system, a single propagating precipitation band moves down through the gel, with precipitate formed at the band front and precipitate dissolved at the band back. Complex spatiotemporal waves occur within the propagating precipitation band, including counter-rotating spiral waves, target patterns, and annihilation of waves on collision. We have also carried out experiments in thin slices of gel, which have revealed propagating waves of a diagonal precipitation feature within the primary precipitation band. These waves display a wave merging phenomenon in which two horizontally propagating waves merge into a single wave. Computational modeling permits the development of a detailed understanding of the complex dynamical behavior.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2102137
- PAR ID:
- 10426425
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Chaos: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Nonlinear Science
- Volume:
- 33
- Issue:
- 4
- ISSN:
- 1054-1500
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 043105
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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- Free Publicly Accessible Full Text
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Accepted Manuscript
- Journal Article:
- https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0139698
