Drivers, detection, and impacts of precipitation from the radiation belts

摘要

Particle precipitation into the atmosphere is believed to be one of the dominant mechanisms for the loss of energetic electrons from the Van Allen radiation belts. Wave-particle interactions involving ULF through to VLF waves are thought to be important drivers of these loss events. There is growing interest in energetic electron precipitation (EEP). Much of the renewed interest comes from NASA's recent Van Allen Probes mission, which has stimulated new experimental and theoretical research and opened up new understanding into the fundamental physical processes of radiation-belt dynamics. There is also a new focus on the impact of the energetic electron precipitation on the polar atmosphere, with increasing evidence of significant changes in upper-atmospheric chemistry, and coupling to polar-surface climate.