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A Strong Correlation Between Relativistic Electron Microbursts and Patchy Aurora
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  • Mykhaylo Shumko,
  • Bea Gallardo-Lacourt,
  • Alexa J. Halford,
  • Jun Liang,
  • Lauren W Blum,
  • Eric F. Donovan,
  • Kyle Robert Murphy,
  • Emma Spanswick
Mykhaylo Shumko
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Bea Gallardo-Lacourt
NASA GSFC, NASA GSFC
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Alexa J. Halford
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
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Jun Liang
University of Calgary, University of Calgary
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Lauren W Blum
University of Colorado Boulder, University of Colorado Boulder
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Eric F. Donovan
University of Calgary, University of Calgary
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Kyle Robert Murphy
Self, Self
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Emma Spanswick
University of Calgary, University of Calgary
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Abstract

In this letter, we present the results of a conjunction between the SAMPEX satellite and a THEMIS all-sky imager in Gillam, Canada—showing a high correlation between relativistic, >1 MeV, electron microbursts and a type of pulsating aurora called patchy aurora. The correlation was 0.8, and is not serendipitous. While the relationship between pulsating aurora and 10-100s keV microbursts has been previously predicted, here we show a strong association between keV and MeV electron dynamics—possibly spanning two orders of magnitude. Importantly, this result shows that the dynamics of relativistic radiation belt electrons are at times intimately tied to keV electron precipitation, and can not be studied in isolation.
28 Sep 2021Published in Geophysical Research Letters volume 48 issue 18. 10.1029/2021GL094696