Estimating Electron Temperature and Density Using Van Allen Probe Data:
Typical Behaviour of Energetic Electrons in the Inner Magnetosphere
Abstract
Earth’s inner magnetosphere contains multiple electron populations
influenced by different factors. The cold electrons of the plasmasphere,
warm plasma that contributes to the ring current, and the relativistic
plasma of the radiation belt often seem to behave independently. Using
omni-directional flux and energy measurements from the HOPE and MagEIS
instruments aboard the Van Allen Probes, we provide a detailed density
and temperature description of the inner magnetosphere, offering a
comprehensive statistical analysis of the entire Van Allen Probe era.
While number density and temperature data at geosynchronous orbit are
available, this study focuses on the inner magnetosphere (2 <
L∗ < 6). Values of density and temperature are extracted by
fitting energy and phase space density to obtain the distribution
function. The fitted distributions are related to the zeroth and second
moments to estimate the number density and temperature. Analysis has
indicated that a two Maxwellian fit is sufficient over a wide range of
L∗ and that there are two independent plasma populations. The more
energetic population has a median number density of approximately 1.2 ×
104 m−3 and a temperature of around 130 keV, with a temperature peak
observed between L* = 4 and L*= 4.5. This population is relatively
uniform in MLT. In contrast, the less energetic warm electron population
has a median number density of about 2.5 × 104 m−3 and a temperature of
7.4 keV. Strong statistical trends in density and temperature across
both L* and MLT are presented, along with potential sources driving
these variations.