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We describe a new, more accurate procedure for estimating and removing inner zone background contamination from Van Allen Probes Magnetic Electron Ion Spectrometer (MagEIS) radiation belt measurements. This new procedure is based on the underlying assumption that the primary source of background contamination in the electron measurements at L shells less than three, energetic inner belt protons, is relatively stable. Since a magnetic spectrometer can readily distinguish between foreground electrons and background signals, we are able to exploit the proton stability to construct a model of the background contamination in each MagEIS detector by only considering times when the measurements are known to be background dominated. We demonstrate, for relativistic electron measurements in the inner zone, that the new technique is a significant improvement upon the routine background corrections that are used in the standard MagEIS data processing, which can “overcorrect” and therefore remove real (but small) electron fluxes. As an example, we show that the previously reported 1‐MeV injection into the inner zone that occurred in June of 2015 was distributed more broadly in L and persisted in the inner zone longer than suggested by previous estimates. Such differences can have important implications for both scientific studies and spacecraft engineering applications that make use of MagEIS electron data in the inner zone at relativistic energies. We compare these new results with prior work and present more recent observations that also show a 1‐MeV electron injection into the inner zone following the September 2017 interplanetary shock passage., Key Points A new background correction algorithm for relativistic inner zone electrons is developedWe find important differences versus the standard algorithm, with several new/clarified features revealedData from the new algorithm should be used for quantitative inner zone studies at energies >0.7 MeV

We present a comparison of magnetospheric plasma mass/electron density observations during an 11‐day interval which includes the geomagnetic storm of June 22, 2015. For this study we used: Equatorial plasma mass density derived from geomagnetic field line resonances (FLRs) detected by Van Allen Probes and at the ground‐based magnetometer networks EMMA and CARISMA; in situ electron density inferred by the Neural‐network‐based Upper hybrid Resonance Determination algorithm applied to plasma wave Van Allen Probes measurements. The combined observations at L ∼ 4, MLT ∼ 16 of the two longitudinally separated magnetometer networks show a temporal pattern very similar to that of the in situ observations: A density decrease by an order of magnitude about 1 day after the Dst minimum, a partial recovery a few hours later, and a new strong decrease soon after. The observations are consistent with the position of the measurement points with respect to the plasmasphere boundary as derived by a plasmapause test particle simulation. A comparison between plasma mass densities derived from ground and in situ FLR observations during favorable conjunctions shows a good agreement. We find however, for L, Key Points The combination of longitudinally separated magnetometer arrays reproduces main magnetospheric plasma density variations observed in situObservations are consistent with predictions provided by a plasmapause test particle simulationPlasma mass densities derived from ground and in situ field line resonance (FLR) observations for L > 3 are in good agreement during favorable conjunction intervals

Results from the NASA Van Allen Probes mission indicate extensive observations of mirror/drift‐mirror (M/D‐M hereafter) unstable plasma regions in the night‐side inner magnetosphere. Said plasmas lie on the threshold between the kinetic and frozen‐in plasma regimes and have favorable conditions for the formation of M/D‐M modes and subsequent ultralow frequency (ULF) wave signatures in the surrounding plasma. We present the results of a climatological analysis of plasma‐γ (anisotropy measure) and total plasma‐β (ratio of particle to magnetic field pressure) in regard to the satisfaction of instability conditions on said M/D‐M modes under bi‐Maxwellian distribution assumption, and ascertain the most likely region for such plasmas to occur. Our results indicate a strong preference for the premidnight sector of the night‐side magnetosphere, with events ranging in time scales from half a minute (roughly 200 km in scale size) to several hours (multiple Earth radii). The statistical distribution of these plasma regions explicitly identifies the source region of “storm time Pc5 ULF waves” and suggests an alternative mechanism for their generation in the night‐side inner magnetosphere., Key Points Mirror mode unstable plasmas occur in the dusk‐to‐midnight inner magnetosphereMirror‐unstable plasmas are likely due to magnetotail injectionsMirror mode propagation can lead to ultra‐low frequency (ULF) mode generation

A sequence of discrete solar wind structures within the sheath region of an interplanetary coronal mass ejection on November 6, 2015, caused a series of compressions and releases of the dayside magnetosphere. Each compression resulted in a brief adiabatic enhancement of ions (electrons) driving bursts of electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC; whistler mode chorus) wave growth across the dayside magnetosphere. Fine‐structured rising tones were observed in the EMIC wave bursts, resulting in nonlinear scattering of relativistic electrons in the outer radiation belt. Multipoint observations allow us to study the spatial structure and evolution of these sheath structures as they propagate Earthward from L1 as well as the spatio‐temporal characteristics of the magnetospheric response. This event highlights the importance of fine‐scale solar wind structure, in particular within complex sheath regions, in driving dayside phenomena within the inner magnetosphere., Key Points A sequence of discrete structures within an interplanetary coronal mass ejection sheath are tracked via multipoint measurementsEach structure results in magnetospheric compression, adiabatic enhancement of ions and electrons, and cyclotron wave growthThis event highlights the importance of fine‐scale solar wind structure and sheath regions for driving dayside magnetospheric phenomena

Four closely located satellites at and inside geosynchronous orbit (GEO) provided a great opportunity to study the dynamical evolution and spatial scale of premidnight energetic particle injections inside GEO during a moderate substorm on 23 December 2016. Just following the substorm onset, the four spacecraft, a LANL satellite at GEO, the two Van Allen Probes (also called “RBSP”) at ~5.8 R E, and a THEMIS satellite at ~5.3 R E, observed substorm‐related particle injections and local dipolarizations near the central meridian (~22 MLT) of a wedge‐like current system. The large‐scale evolution of the electron and ion (H, He, and O) injections was almost identical at the two RBSP spacecraft with ~0.5 R E apart. However, the initial short‐timescale particle injections exhibited a striking difference between RBSP‐A and ‐B: RBSP‐B observed an energy dispersionless injection which occurred concurrently with a transient, strong dipolarization front (DF) with a peak‐to‐peak amplitude of ~25 nT over ~25 s; RBSP‐A measured a dispersed/weaker injection with no corresponding DF. The spatiotemporally localized DF was accompanied by an impulsive, westward electric field (~20 mV m−1). The fast, impulsive E × B drift caused the radial transport of the electron and ion injection regions from GEO to ~5.8 R E. The penetrating DF fields significantly altered the rapid energy‐ and pitch angle‐dependent flux changes of the electrons and the H and He ions inside GEO. Such flux distributions could reflect the transient DF‐related particle acceleration and/or transport processes occurring inside GEO. In contrast, O ions were little affected by the DF fields., Key Points Four spacecraft observations at and inside GEO reveal the dynamical nature of particle injections and their related local field changesThe dispersionless injections inside GEO are highly localized in azimuth and accompanied by a sharp dipolarization front (DF)The DF‐related fields have a much greater impact on electron and light ion injections, but little affect heavy ion injections

The Geospace Environmental Modelling (GEM) community offers a framework for collaborations between modelers, observers, and theoreticians in the form of regular challenges. In many cases, these challenges involve model‐data comparisons to provide wider context to observations or validate model results. To perform meaningful comparisons, a statistical approach is often adopted, which requires the extraction of a large number of measurements from a specific region. However, in complex regions such as the magnetosheath, compiling these data can be difficult. Here, we provide the statistical context of compiling statistical data for the southward IMF GEM challenge initiated by the “Dayside Kinetic Processes in Global Solar Wind‐Magnetosphere Interaction” focus group. It is shown that matching very specific upstream conditions can severely impact the statistical data if limits are imposed on several solar wind parameters. We suggest that future studies that wish to compare simulations and/or single events to statistical data should carefully consider at an early stage the availability of data in context with the upstream criteria. We also demonstrate the importance of how specific IMF conditions are defined, the chosen spacecraft, the region of interest, and how regions are identified automatically. The lessons learnt in this study are of wide context to many future studies as well as GEM challenges. The results also highlight the issue where a global statistical perspective has to be balanced with its relevance to more‐extreme, less‐frequent individual events, which is typically the case in the field of space weather., Key Points We provide technical guidelines for compiling large‐scale magnetosheath statistical dataThe availability of data for specific simulation/event conditions should be considered in the early planning stages of future studiesThe limits and manner in which solar wind criteria are defined play a major role in compiling statistical datasets

The Solar, Anomalous, and Magnetospheric Particle Explorer (SAMPEX) mission provided long‐term measurements of 10s of megaelectron volt (MeV) inner belt (L GeV) that are regarded as a source of these trapped protons. Furthermore, the proton fluxes and their variations sensitively depend on the altitude above the South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA) region. With respect to protons (>36 MeV) mirroring near the magnetic equator, both POES measurements and simulations show no obvious solar cycle variations at L > 1.2. This is also confirmed by recent measurements from the Van Allen Probes (2012–2019), but there are clear solar cycle variations and a strong spatial gradient of the proton flux below L = 1.2. A direct comparison between measurements and simulations leads to the conclusion that energy loss of trapped protons due to collisions with free and bound electrons in the ionosphere and atmosphere is the dominant mechanism for the strong spatial gradient and solar cycle variation of the inner belt protons. This fact is also key of importance for spacecraft and instrument design and operation in near‐Earth space., Key Points The solar cycle variation of inner belt protons measured by LEO satellites is mainly due to losses from atmospheric collisionsInner belt proton intensity and variation measured at LEO sensitively depend on the altitude above the SAAMeasurements and simulations reveal a strong spatial gradient of trapped protons mirroring near the magnetic equator below L = 1.2

Microbursts are an impulsive increase of electrons from the radiation belts into the atmosphere and have been directly observed in low Earth orbit and the upper atmosphere. Prior work has estimated that microbursts are capable of rapidly depleting the radiation belt electrons on the order of a day; hence, their role to radiation belt electron losses must be considered. Losses due to microbursts are not well constrained, and more work is necessary to accurately quantify their contribution as a loss process. To address this question, we present a statistical study of >35 keV microburst sizes using the pair of AeroCube‐6 CubeSats. The microburst size distribution in low Earth orbit and the magnetic equator was derived using both spacecraft. In low Earth orbit, the majority of microbursts were observed, while the AeroCube‐6 separation was less than a few tens of kilometers, mostly in latitude. To account for the statistical effects of random microburst locations and sizes, Monte Carlo and analytic models were developed to test hypothesized microburst size distributions. A family of microburst size distributions were tested, and a Markov chain Monte Carlo sampler was used to estimate the optimal distribution of model parameters. Finally, a majority of observed microbursts map to sizes less than 200 km at the magnetic equator. Since microbursts are widely believed to be generated by scattering of radiation belt electrons by whistler mode waves, the observed microburst size distribution was compared to whistler mode chorus size distributions derived in prior literature., Key Points The dual AeroCube‐6 CubeSats simultaneously observed >35 keV microbursts at a variety of spatial separations ranging from 2 to 100 kmIn low Earth orbit the majority of microbursts have a size on the order of a few tens of kmMapped to the magnetic equator, the majority of microbursts are less than 200 km in size, corresponding to the size of chorus wave packets

International audience; In this study, we use about 6.5 years of observation of Detection of Electromagnetic Emissions Transmitted from Earthquake Regions (DEMETER) satellite to study the spectral broadening of NWC ground transmitter signals and examine key parameters that control the width and intensity of the broadening power. First, we analyze a typical spectral broadening event, with enhanced wave intensity between lower hybrid resonance frequency and NWC signal frequency (19.8 kHz). The width and intensity of broadening power are positively proportional to the NWC wave amplitude. A following statistical analysis reveals a similar dependence on the NWC wave amplitude. The statistical analysis also indicates a significantly negative correlation of broadening spectral intensity and width with the background plasma density. The observations are consistent with existing theories predicting that lower plasma density drives a lower threshold for spectral broadening.

Juno was inserted into a polar orbit about Jupiter on 4 July 2016. Juno's magnetic field investigation acquires vector measurements of the Jovian magnetic field using a pair of a triaxial Fluxgate Magnetometers (FGMs) colocated with four attitude‐sensing star cameras on an optical bench. The optical bench is placed on a boom at the outer extremity of one of Juno's three solar arrays. The Magnetic Field investigation (MAG) uses measurements of the optical bench inertial attitude provided by the micro‐Advanced Stellar Compass (μASC) to render accurate vector measurements of the planetary magnetic field. During periJoves, orientation of the MAG Optical Benches (MOB) is determined using the spacecraft (SC) attitude combined with transformations between SC and MOB coordinate frames. Substantial prelaunch effort was expended to maximize the thermomechanical stability of the Juno solar arrays and MAG boom. Nevertheless, the Juno flight experience demonstrates that the transformation between SC and MAG reference frames varies significantly in response to spacecraft thermal excursions associated with large attitude maneuvers and proximate encounters with Jupiter. This response is monitored by comparing attitudes provided by the MAG investigation's four Camera Head Units (CHUs) with those provided by the Stellar Reference Unit (SRU). These systematic variations in relative orientation are thought to be caused by the thermoelastic flexure of the Juno solar array in response to temperature excursions associated with maneuvers and heating during close passages of Jupiter. In this paper, we investigate these thermal effects and propose a model for compensation of the MAG boom flexure., Key Points We propose a model for compensation of the MAG boom flexure effectModeling was based solely on the PJ1 data and the model has been applied on data well beyond that period and thermal range, up to PJ26The thermal modeling illustrates the need for a comprehensive systems approach in achieving high‐accuracy measurements on space platforms

Inward radial diffusion driven by ULF waves has long been known to be capable of accelerating radiation belt electrons to very high energies within the heart of the belts, but more recent work has shown that radial diffusion values can be highly event‐specific, and mean values or empirical models may not capture the full significance of radial diffusion to acceleration events. Here we present an event of fast inward radial diffusion, occurring during a period following the geomagnetic storm of 17 March 2015. Ultrarelativistic electrons up to ∼8 MeV are accelerated in the absence of intense higher‐frequency plasma waves, indicating an acceleration event in the core of the outer belt driven primarily or entirely by ULF wave‐driven diffusion. We examine this fast diffusion rate along with derived radial diffusion coefficients using particle and fields instruments on the Van Allen Probes spacecraft mission., Key Points Fast radial diffusion of ultrarelativistic electrons is observed days after storm main phaseEvent‐specific radial diffusion can be orders of magnitude higher than statistical valuesULF‐wave driven acceleration can account for intense particle enhancement observed in inner magnetosphere

The two full precessions in local time completed by the Van Allen Probes enable global specification of the near‐equatorial inner magnetosphere plasma environment. Observations by the Helium‐Oxygen‐Proton‐Electron (HOPE) mass spectrometers provide detailed insight into the global spatial distribution of electrons, H+, He+, and O+. Near‐equatorial omnidirectional fluxes and abundance ratios at energies 0.1–30 keV are presented for 2 ≤ L ≤ 6 as a function of L shell, magnetic local time (MLT), and geomagnetic activity. We present a new tool built on the UBK modeling technique for classifying plasma sheet particle access to the inner magnetosphere. This new tool generates access maps for particles of constant energy for more direct comparison with in situ measurements, rather than the traditional constant μ presentation typically associated with UBK. We present for the first time inner magnetosphere abundances of O+ flux relative to H+ flux as a function of Kp, L, MLT, and energy. At L = 6, the O+/H+ ratio increases with increasing Kp, consistent with previous results. However, at L, Key Points Two‐dimensional L‐MLT plots of average electron, H+, He+, and O+ fluxes and ion flux ratios show significant structure and dependence on energy and Kp A new afternoon bulge plasma population enriched in 10 keV O+ and He+ is observed for Kp

We report global observations of high‐m poloidal waves during the recovery phase of the 22 June 2015 magnetic storm from a constellation of widely spaced satellites of five missions including Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS), Van Allen Probes, Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorm (THEMIS), Cluster, and Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES). The combined observations demonstrate the global spatial extent of storm time poloidal waves. MMS observations confirm high azimuthal wave numbers (m ~ 100). Mode identification indicates the waves are associated with the second harmonic of field line resonances. The wave frequencies exhibit a decreasing trend as L increases, distinguishing them from the single‐frequency global poloidal modes normally observed during quiet times. Detailed examination of the instantaneous frequency reveals discrete spatial structures with step‐like frequency changes along L. Each discrete L shell has a steady wave frequency and spans about 1 R E, suggesting that there exist a discrete number of drift‐bounce resonance regions across L shells during storm times., Key Points Observed long‐lasting high‐m poloidal waves associated with second harmonics of field line resonances during a major magnetic stormDemonstrated global spatial extent of storm time poloidal FLR region using observations from a constellation of widely spaced satellitesRevealed discrete spatial structures of resonant L shells with step‐like frequency changes

Modeling and observations have shown that energy diffusion by chorus waves is an important source of acceleration of electrons to relativistic energies. By performing long‐term simulations using the three‐dimensional Versatile Electron Radiation Belt code, in this study, we test how the latitudinal dependence of chorus waves can affect the dynamics of the radiation belt electrons. Results show that the variability of chorus waves at high latitudes is critical for modeling of megaelectron volt (MeV) electrons. We show that, depending on the latitudinal distribution of chorus waves under different geomagnetic conditions, they cannot only produce a net acceleration but also a net loss of MeV electrons. Decrease in high‐latitude chorus waves can tip the balance between acceleration and loss toward acceleration, or alternatively, the increase in high‐latitude waves can result in a net loss of MeV electrons. Variations in high‐latitude chorus may account for some of the variability of MeV electrons., Key Points The high‐latitude chorus waves can tip the balance between acceleration and loss of relativistic electrons at MeV energiesDepending on their latitudinal distribution, chorus waves can produce net acceleration or net loss of MeV electronsVariations in high‐latitude chorus may account for some of the variability of MeV electrons

We describe a new data product combining the spin‐averaged electron flux measurements from the Radiation Belt Storm Probes (RBSP) Energetic Particle Composition and Thermal Plasma (ECT) suite on the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Van Allen Probes. We describe the methodology used to combine each of the data sets and produce a consistent set of spectra for September 2013 to the present. Three‐minute‐averaged flux spectra are provided spanning energies from 15 eV up to 20 MeV. This new data product provides additional utility to the ECT data and offers a consistent cross calibrated data set for researchers interested in examining the dynamics of the inner magnetosphere across a wide range of energies., Key Points A new combined electron flux data product for the Van Allen Probes mission is describedResults from cross calibration of the RBSP‐ECT instrument suite are presentedThis data product represents the first ever complete electron spectra throughout the inner magnetosphere from tens of electron volts to tens of megaelectron volts

Ring current electrons (1–100 keV) have received significant attention in recent decades, but many questions regarding their major transport and loss mechanisms remain open. In this study, we use the four‐dimensional Versatile Electron Radiation Belt code to model the enhancement of phase space density that occurred during the 17 March 2013 storm. Our model includes global convection, radial diffusion, and scattering into the Earth's atmosphere driven by whistler‐mode hiss and chorus waves. We study the sensitivity of the model to the boundary conditions, global electric field, the electric field associated with subauroral polarization streams, electron loss rates, and radial diffusion coefficients. The results of the code are almost insensitive to the model parameters above 4.5 R E R E, which indicates that the general dynamics of the electrons between 4.5 R E and the geostationary orbit can be explained by global convection. We found that the major discrepancies between the model and data can stem from the inaccurate electric field model and uncertainties in lifetimes. We show that additional mechanisms that are responsible for radial transport are required to explain the dynamics of ≥40‐keV electrons, and the inclusion of the radial diffusion rates that are typically assumed in radiation belt studies leads to a better agreement with the data. The overall effect of subauroral polarization streams on the electron phase space density profiles seems to be smaller than the uncertainties in other input parameters. This study is an initial step toward understanding the dynamics of these particles inside the geostationary orbit., Key Points Ring current electron dynamics within geostationary orbit is modeled and the sensitivity of the model to the input parameters is exploredGlobal convective electron transport from geostationary orbit to 4.5 R E can explain Van Allen Probe observationsModel results below 4.5 R E are most sensitive to the electric field and electron lifetimes

Using the Helium Oxygen Proton Electron (HOPE) and Electric Field and Waves (EFW) instruments from the Van Allen Probes, we explored the relationship between electron energy fluxes in the eV and keV ranges and spacecraft surface charging. We present statistical results on spacecraft charging within geosynchronous orbit by L and MLT. An algorithm to extract the H+ charging line in the HOPE instrument data was developed to better explore intense charging events. Also, this study explored how spacecraft potential relates to electron number density, electron pressure, electron temperature, thermal electron current, and low‐energy ion density between 1 and 210 eV. It is demonstrated that it is imperative to use both EFW potential measurements and the HOPE instrument ion charging line for examining times of extreme spacecraft charging of the Van Allen Probes. The results of this study show that elevated electron energy fluxes and high‐electron pressures are present during times of spacecraft charging but these same conditions may also occur during noncharging times. We also show noneclipse significant negative charging events on the Van Allen Probes., Key Points Statistical analysis of Van Allen Probes spacecraft chargingIntense negative charging occurs in sunlightElectron Pressure, temperature, and fluxes affect charging occurrence and intensity

We present observations of the radiation belts from the Helium Oxygen Proton Electron and Magnetic Electron Ion Spectrometer particle detectors on the Van Allen Probes satellites that illustrate the energy dependence and L shell dependence of radiation belt enhancements and decays. We survey events in 2013 and analyze an event on 1 March in more detail. The observations show the following: (a) at all L shells, lower energy electrons are enhanced more often than higher energies; (b) events that fill the slot region are more common at lower energies; (c) enhancements of electrons in the inner zone are more common at lower energies; and (d) even when events do not fully fill the slot region, enhancements at lower energies tend to extend to lower L shells than higher energies. During enhancement events the outer zone extends to lower L shells at lower energies while being confined to higher L shells at higher energies. The inner zone shows the opposite with an outer boundary at higher L shells for lower energies. Both boundaries are nearly straight in log(energy) versus L shell space. At energies below a few 100 keV, radiation belt electron penetration through the slot region into the inner zone is commonplace, but the number and frequency of “slot filling” events decreases with increasing energy. The inner zone is enhanced only at energies that penetrate through the slot. Energy‐ and L shell‐dependent losses (that are consistent with whistler hiss interactions) return the belts to more quiescent conditions., Key Points Radiation belt dynamics are a strong function of energy and L shellEvents that fill the slot region are common at lower energies and rare at higher energiesDuring enhancement events different energies are enhanced in different spatial regions

We investigate the plasmaspheric influence on the resonant mode coupling of magnetospheric ultralow frequency (ULF) waves using the Lyon‐Fedder‐Mobarry (LFM) global magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) model. We present results from two different versions of the model, both driven by the same solar wind conditions: one version that contains a plasmasphere (the LFM coupled to the Rice Convection Model, where the Gallagher plasmasphere model is also included) and another that does not (the stand‐alone LFM). We find that the inclusion of a cold, dense plasmasphere has a significant impact on the nature of the simulated ULF waves. For example, the inclusion of a plasmasphere leads to a deeper (more earthward) penetration of the compressional (azimuthal) electric field fluctuations, due to a shift in the location of the wave turning points. Consequently, the locations where the compressional electric field oscillations resonantly couple their energy into local toroidal mode field line resonances also shift earthward. We also find, in both simulations, that higher‐frequency compressional (azimuthal) electric field oscillations penetrate deeper than lower frequency oscillations. In addition, the compressional wave mode structure in the simulations is consistent with a radial standing wave oscillation pattern, characteristic of a resonant waveguide. The incorporation of a plasmasphere into the LFM global MHD model represents an advance in the state of the art in regard to ULF wave modeling with such simulations. We offer a brief discussion of the implications for radiation belt modeling techniques that use the electric and magnetic field outputs from global MHD simulations to drive particle dynamics., Key Points Magnetosphere responds as a resonant waveguide to ULF fluctuations in solar wind dynamic pressureInclusion of a plasmasphere has a substantial impact on the nature of the simulated ULF wavesInclusion of a plasmasphere leads to a deeper penetration of azimuthal electric field oscillations

The substorm process releases large amounts of energy into the magnetospheric system, although where the energy is transferred to and how it is partitioned remains an open question. In this study, we address whether the substorm process contributes a significant amount of energy to the ring current. The ring current is a highly variable region, and understanding the energization processes provides valuable insight into how substorm‐ring current coupling may contribute to the generation of storm conditions and provide a source of energy for wave driving. In order to quantify the energy input into the ring current during the substorm process, we analyze Radiation Belt Storm Probes Ion Composition Experiment and Helium Oxygen Proton Electron ion flux measurements for H+, O+, and He+. The energy content of the ring current is estimated and binned spatially for L and magnetic local time. The results are combined with an independently derived substorm event list to perform a statistical analysis of variations in the ring current energy content with substorm phase. We show that the ring current energy is significantly higher in the expansion phase compared to the growth phase, with the energy enhancement persisting into the substorm recovery phase. The characteristics of the energy enhancement suggest the injection of energized ions from the tail plasma sheet following substorm onset. The local time variations indicate a loss of energetic H+ ions in the afternoon sector, likely due to wave‐particle interactions. Overall, we find that the average energy input into the ring current is ∼9% of the previously reported energy released during substorms., Key Points This study explored the spatial variations of the average ring current energy content for H+, O+, and He+ ionsThe ring current energy content increases following substorm onset with strong spatial dependencesApproximately 9% of the energy released in a typical substorm is transferred to the ring current

Lightning activity was shown to be one of the most significant contributors to the overall intensity of electromagnetic waves in the Earth's inner magnetosphere, especially on the nightside and at frequencies on the order of a few kilohertz. In the present study, we combine electromagnetic wave intensity measurements performed by the Van Allen Probes and DEMETER spacecraft with ground-based lightning activity observations by the World Wide Lightning Location Network (WWLLN) to evaluate this contribution in detail. Different spacecraft orbits allow us to compare measurements performed by the Van Allen Probes at various radial distances near the equatorial plane with DEMETER spacecraft measurements at low altitudes. Lightning times and locations obtained by the WWLLN then make it possible to estimate lightning activity levels corresponding to individual data points from spacecraft measurements. The difference between wave intensities measured at the times of high and low lightning activity is evaluated as a function of wave frequency, spacecraft location, and level of geomagnetic activity.

Substorms generally inject tens to hundreds of keV electrons, but intense substorm electric fields have been shown to inject MeV electrons as well. An intriguing question is whether such MeVelectron injections can populate the outer radiation belt. Here we present observations of a substorm injection of MeV electrons into the inner magnetosphere. In the premidnight sector at L ∼ 5.5, Van Allen Probes (Radiation Belt Storm Probes)‐A observed a large dipolarization electric field (50 mV/m) over ∼40 s and a dispersionless injection of electrons up to ∼3 MeV. Pitch angle observations indicated betatron acceleration of MeV electrons at the dipolarization front. Corresponding signals of MeV electron injection were observed at LANL‐GEO, THEMIS‐D, and GOES at geosynchronous altitude. Through a series of dipolarizations, the injections increased the MeV electron phase space density by 1 order of magnitude in less than 3 h in the outer radiation belt (L > 4.8). Our observations provide evidence that deep injections can supply significant MeV electrons., Key Points Unambiguous evidence of deep injections of MeV electrons from multispacecraftExtremely large electric fields (50 mV/m) associated with the dipolarizationStrong dipolarizations may supply significant MeV electrons to radiation belts

The outer radiation belt consists of relativistic (>0.5 MeV) electrons trapped on closed trajectories around Earth where the magnetic field is nearly dipolar. During increased geomagnetic activity, electron intensities in the belt can vary by orders of magnitude at different spatial and temporal scales. The main phase of geomagnetic storms often produces deep depletions of electron intensities over broad regions of the outer belt. Previous studies identified three possible processes that can contribute to the main‐phase depletions: adiabatic inflation of electron drift orbits caused by the ring current growth, electron loss into the atmosphere, and electron escape through the magnetopause boundary. In this paper we investigate the relative importance of the adiabatic effect and magnetopause loss to the rapid depletion of the outer belt observed at the Van Allen Probes spacecraft during the main phase of 17 March 2013 storm. The intensities of >1 MeV electrons were depleted by more than an order of magnitude over the entire radial extent of the belt in less than 6 h after the sudden storm commencement. For the analysis we used three‐dimensional test particle simulations of global evolution of the outer belt in the Tsyganenko‐Sitnov (TS07D) magnetic field model with an inductive electric field. Comparison of the simulation results with electron measurements from the Magnetic Electron Ion Spectrometer experiment shows that magnetopause loss accounts for most of the observed depletion at L>5, while at lower L shells the depletion is adiabatic. Both magnetopause loss and the adiabatic effect are controlled by the change in global configuration of the magnetic field due to storm time development of the ring current; a simulation of electron evolution without a ring current produces a much weaker depletion., Key Points Main‐phase depletions are caused by magnetopause lossesLosses are enabled by a diamagnetic effect due to storm time ring currentBoth the third and the second invariants are violated in the loss process

Observations from Magnetospheric MultiScale (~8 Re) and Van Allen Probes (~5 and 4 Re) show that the initial dayside response to a small interplanetary shock is a double‐peaked dawnward electric field, which is distinctly different from the usual bipolar (dawnward and then duskward) signature reported for large shocks. The associated E × B flow is radially inward. The shock compressed the magnetopause to inside 8 Re, as observed by Magnetospheric MultiScale (MMS), with a speed that is comparable to the E × B flow. The magnetopause speed and the E × B speeds were significantly less than the propagation speed of the pulse from MMS to the Van Allen Probes and GOES‐13, which is consistent with the MHD fast mode. There were increased fluxes of energetic electrons up to several MeV. Signatures of drift echoes and response to ULF waves also were seen. These observations demonstrate that even very weak shocks can have significant impact on the radiation belts., Key Points Magnetospheric response to small shocks not typical bipolar electric field pulse seen for large shocksPropagation of compression on VAP, MMS, and GOES‐13 is consistent with fast mode speed; large‐scale structure is not fast modeElectric field pulse associated with small shock energizes electrons to >50 keV; flux enhancements seen up to several MeV

Two of the largest geomagnetic storms of the last decade were witnessed in 2015. On 17 March 2015, a coronal mass ejection‐driven event occurred with a Dst (storm time ring current index) value reaching −223 nT. On 22 June 2015 another strong storm (Dst reaching −204 nT) was recorded. These two storms each produced almost total loss of radiation belt high‐energy (E ≳ 1 MeV) electron fluxes. Following the dropouts of radiation belt fluxes there were complex and rather remarkable recoveries of the electrons extending up to nearly 10 MeV in kinetic energy. The energized outer zone electrons showed a rich variety of pitch angle features including strong “butterfly” distributions with deep minima in flux at α = 90°. However, despite strong driving of outer zone earthward radial diffusion in these storms, the previously reported “impenetrable barrier” at L ≈ 2.8 was pushed inward, but not significantly breached, and no E ≳ 2.0 MeV electrons were seen to pass through the radiation belt slot region to reach the inner Van Allen zone. Overall, these intense storms show a wealth of novel features of acceleration, transport, and loss that are demonstrated in the present detailed analysis., Key Points March and June 2015 storms offer insight into ultrarelativistic electron dynamicsImpenetrable barrier can be pushed inward, still isolates high‐E electrons from inner zoneMulti‐MeV electrons take 1‐2 days to appear following these strong driving events.

We address the effect of ionospheric outflow and magnetospheric ion composition on the physical processes that control the development of the 5 August 2011 magnetic storm. Simulations with the Space Weather Modeling Framework are used to investigate the global dynamics and energization of ions throughout the magnetosphere during storm time, with a focus on the formation and evolution of the ring current. Simulations involving multifluid (with variable H+/O+ ratio in the inner magnetosphere) and single‐fluid (with constant H+/O+ ratio in the inner magnetosphere) MHD for the global magnetosphere with inner boundary conditions set either by specifying a constant ion density or by physics‐based calculations of the ion fluxes reveal that dynamical changes of the ion composition in the inner magnetosphere alter the total energy density of the magnetosphere, leading to variations in the magnetic field as well as particle drifts throughout the simulated domain. A low oxygen to hydrogen ratio and outflow resulting from a constant ion density boundary produced the most disturbed magnetosphere, leading to a stronger ring current but misses the timing of the storm development. Conversely, including a physics‐based solution for the ionospheric outflow to the magnetosphere system leads to a reduction in the cross‐polar cap potential (CPCP). The increased presence of oxygen in the inner magnetosphere affects the global magnetospheric structure and dynamics and brings the nightside reconnection point closer to the Earth. The combination of reduced CPCP together with the formation of the reconnection line closer to the Earth yields less adiabatic heating in the magnetotail and reduces the amount of energetic plasma that has access to the inner magnetosphere., Key Points Low O+/H+ ratio produced stronger ring currentInclusion of physics‐based ionospheric outflow leads to a reduction in the CPCPOxygen presence is linked to a nightside reconnection point closer to the Earth

Ion temperatures as a function of the x and y axes in the geocentric solar magnetospheric (GSM) coordinate system and time are available for 76 geomagnetic storms that occurred during the period July 2008 to December 2013 on CDAWeb. The method for mapping energetic neutral atom data from the Two Wide‐angle Imaging Spectrometers (TWINS) mission to the GSM equatorial plane and subsequent ion temperature calculation are described here. The ion temperatures are a measure of the average thermal energy of the bulk ion population in the 1–40 keV energy range. These temperatures are useful for studies of ion dynamics, for placing in situ measurements in a global context, and for establishing boundary conditions for models of the inner magnetosphere and the plasma sheet., Key Points Ion temperatures are calculated from TWINS energetic neutral atom dataMaps of ion temperatures during geomagnetic storms are available on CDAWeb