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The First Terrestrial Electron Beam Observed by The Atmosphere-Space Interactions Monitor
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  • David Sarria,
  • Pavlo Kochkin,
  • Nikolai Østgaard,
  • Nikolai Lehtinen,
  • Andrew Mezentsev,
  • Martino Marisaldi,
  • Brant, Edward Carlson,
  • Carolina Maiorana,
  • Kjetil, H Albrechtsen,
  • Torsten Neubert,
  • Víctor Reglero,
  • Kjetil Ullaland,
  • Shiming Yang,
  • Georgi Genov,
  • Bilal, Hasan Qureshi,
  • Carl Budtz-Jørgensen,
  • Irfan Kuvvetli,
  • Freddy Christiansen,
  • Olivier Chanrion,
  • Matthias Heumesser,
  • Krystallia Dimitriadou,
  • Javier Navarro-Gonzalez,
  • Paul Connell,
  • Christopher, J Dr Eyles
David Sarria
Birkeland Centre for Space Science, University of Bergen, Birkeland Centre for Space Science, University of Bergen

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Pavlo Kochkin
University of Bergen, University of Bergen
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Nikolai Østgaard
Birkeland Centre for Space Science,University of Bergen, Birkeland Centre for Space Science,University of Bergen
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Nikolai Lehtinen
University of Bergen, University of Bergen
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Andrew Mezentsev
Birkeland Centre for Space Science, Birkeland Centre for Space Science
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Martino Marisaldi
University of Bergen, University of Bergen
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Brant, Edward Carlson
Carthage College, Carthage College
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Carolina Maiorana
Birkeland Centre for Space Science, University of Bergen, Birkeland Centre for Space Science, University of Bergen
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Kjetil, H Albrechtsen
Birkeland Centre for Space Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway, Birkeland Centre for Space Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
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Torsten Neubert
Department of Solar System Physics, Denmark, Department of Solar System Physics, Denmark
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Víctor Reglero
University of Valencia, University of Valencia
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Kjetil Ullaland
Birkeland Centre for Space Science, University of Bergen, Birkeland Centre for Space Science, University of Bergen
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Shiming Yang
Birkeland Centre for Space Science, University of Bergen, Birkeland Centre for Space Science, University of Bergen
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Georgi Genov
Birkeland Centre for Space Science, University of Bergen, Birkeland Centre for Space Science, University of Bergen
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Bilal, Hasan Qureshi
Department of Physics and Technology, University of Bergen, Department of Physics and Technology, University of Bergen
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Carl Budtz-Jørgensen
Technical University of Denmark, Technical University of Denmark
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Irfan Kuvvetli
Department of Solar System Physics, Denmark, Department of Solar System Physics, Denmark
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Freddy Christiansen
Department of Solar System Physics, Denmark, Department of Solar System Physics, Denmark
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Olivier Chanrion
National Space Institute (DTU Space), National Space Institute (DTU Space)
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Matthias Heumesser
National Space Institute (DTU Space), National Space Institute (DTU Space)
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Krystallia Dimitriadou
Natinal space institute (DTU Space), Natinal space institute (DTU Space)
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Javier Navarro-Gonzalez
University of Valencia, University of Valencia
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Paul Connell
University of Valencia, University of Valencia
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Christopher, J Dr Eyles
University of Birmingham, University of Birmingham
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Abstract

We report the first Terrestrial Electron Beam detected by the Atmosphere‐Space Interactions Monitor. It happened on 16 September 2018. The Atmosphere‐Space Interactions Monitor Modular X and Gamma ray Sensor recorded a 2 ms long event, with a softer spectrum than typically recorded for Terrestrial Gamma ray Flashes (TGFs). The lightning discharge associated to this event was found in the World Wide Lightning Location Network data, close to the northern footpoint of the magnetic field line that intercepts the International Space Station location. Imaging from a GOES‐R geostationary satellite shows that the source TGF was produced close to an overshooting top of a thunderstorm. Monte‐Carlo simulations were performed to reproduce the observed light curve and energy spectrum. The event can be explained by the secondary electrons and positrons produced by the TGF (i.e., the Terrestrial Electron Beam), even if about 3.5% to 10% of the detected counts may be due to direct TGF photons. A source TGF with a Gaussian angular distribution with standard deviation between 20.6° and 29.8° was found to reproduce the measurement. Assuming an isotropic angular distribution within a cone, compatible half angles are between 30.6° and 41.9°, in agreement with previous studies. The number of required photons for the source TGF could be estimated for various assumption of the source (altitude of production and angular distribution) and is estimated between 1017.2 and 1018.9 photons, that is, compatible with the current consensus.
Dec 2019Published in Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics volume 124 issue 12 on pages 10497-10511. 10.1029/2019JA027071