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.