Modeling the Simultaneous Dropout of Energetic Electrons and Protons by
Magnetopause Shadowing
Abstract
Magnetopause shadowing (MPS) effect could drive a concurrent dropout of
radiation belt electrons and ring current protons. However, its relative
role in the dropout of both plasma populations has not been well
quantified. In this work, we study the simultaneous dropout of MeV
electrons and 100s keV protons during an intense geomagnetic storm in
May 2017. A radial diffusion model with an event-specific last closed
drift shell is used to simulate the MPS loss of both populations. The
model well captures the fast shadowing loss of both populations at high
L*, while the loss at lower L*, possibly due to the EMIC wave
scattering, is not captured. The observed butterfly pitch angle
distributions of electron fluxes in the initial loss phase are well
reproduced by the model. The initial proton losses at low pitch angles
are underestimated, potentially also contributed by other mechanisms
such as field line curvature scattering.