Empirical Patterns of High-Energy Particle Dynamics of the Van Allen Radiation Belts

Abstract

The Van Allen radiation belts consist of megaelectron volt particles trapped in the Earth’s magnetic field mainly with protons at low altitudes and electrons at high altitudes. These concentric, donut-shaped radiation belts are constantly changing due to a variety of physical processes caused by specific types of heliospheric structure. The radiation poses risks for astronauts and spacecraft systems. The understanding of these processes that operate across the universe can help with designs of future space missions as well as the understanding of the universe. The data gathered from the last three months of the Radiation Belt Storm Probes mission (RBSP mission) is examined for patterns and trends in the dynamics of the radiation belts and their relationships with solar activities. From the data, it is shown that the patterns of the high-energy particle dynamics in the belts follow the changes in solar activity. When the Sun’s magnetic field weakens, cosmic rays from deep space are able to carry an increased flux of energetic particles into the solar system. The outer belt exhibits a pattern of electron energization during cycles lasting an average of 27 days, corresponding to the time taken for one solar rotation. The sudden outward shift of the belts on July 19th, 2019 was most likely caused by the shutdown of one of the two Van Allen probes, as the relative position of the probe to the belts changed. Two solar wind streams that arrived from August 27th to the 28th caused the “dropout” event on August 28th, as the contact between the solar wind streams and magnetosphere pushed the magnetosphere’s boundary and enabled the particles outside the shifted boundary to escape into space. A positive polarity coronal hole high speed stream (CH HSS) contributed to the intense September electron re-energization process in the radiation belts starting on September 1st.