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MLT dependence of relativistic electron scattering into the drift loss cone: Measurements from ELFIN-L on board Lomonosov spacecraft
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  • Yuri Y Shprits,
  • Ingo Michaelis,
  • Dedong Wang,
  • Hayley J Allison,
  • Ruggero Vasile,
  • Andrei Runov,
  • Alexander Yurievich Drozdov,
  • Christopher T. Russell,
  • Vladimir V Kalegaev,
  • Artem Smirnov
Yuri Y Shprits
Helmholtz Centre Potsdam

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Ingo Michaelis
GFZ German Research Centre For Geosciences
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Dedong Wang
GFZ German Research Center for Geosciences
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Hayley J Allison
GFZ
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Ruggero Vasile
GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences
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Andrei Runov
University of California Los Angeles
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Alexander Yurievich Drozdov
University of California Los Angeles
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Christopher T. Russell
University of California Los Angeles
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Vladimir V Kalegaev
Skobeltsyn Institute of Nuclear Physics, Lomonosov Moscow State University
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Artem Smirnov
GFZ- German Research Centre for Geosciences
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Abstract

There have been a number of theories proposed concerning the loss of relativistic electrons from the radiation belts. However, direct observations of loss were not possible on a number of previous missions due to the large field of view of the instruments and often high-altitude orbits of satellites that did not allow researchers to isolate the precipitating electrons from the stably trapped. We use measurements from the ELFIN-L suit of instruments flown on Lomonosov spacecraft at LEO orbit, which allows us to distinguish stably trapped from the drift loss cone electrons. The sun-synchronous orbit of Lomonosov allows us to quantify scattering that occurred into the loss cone on the dawn-side and the dusk-side magnetosphere. The loss at MeV energies is observed predominantly on the dawn-side, consistent with the loss induced by the chorus waves. The companion data publication provides processed measurements.
14 Mar 2023Submitted to ESS Open Archive
16 Mar 2023Published in ESS Open Archive