Acceleration and loss processes at relativistic energies: Sources and sinks of radiation belt plasma.
Lead Research Organisation:
Lancaster University
Department Name: Communications Systems
Abstract
The Earth's radiation belts are toroidal regions above the upper atmosphere where highly-energetic charged particles orbit the planet with periods of typically a few minutes. In addition to being a ready-made scientific laboratory in which to study the sources, the energisation mechanisms, and the loss of relativistic-energy electrons and ions, the radiation belts also pose a significant hazard to orbital hardware (and humans). Whilst the presence of the radiation belts has been known since the dawn of the space age, an understanding of the processes which cause radiation belt production and loss has still not been achieved, although recent work has identified some of the most probable particle-acceleration mechanisms. There is currently no reliable method to predict the particle flux within the radiation belts. Indeed, when measured at geosynchronous orbit the flux can change by up to five orders of magnitude within 24 hours - the flux of radiation-belt particles may increase, decrease (dropout), or remain the same during apparently similar conditions. Resolving the complex interplay between competing physical mechanisms within the radiation belts is the primary focus of this research project. A three-year research programme, outlined below, will build on previous work to significantly enhance our physical understanding of the radiation belts - the aim being to determine the primary production and loss mechanisms within them. As well as studying the elementary physics at play within this region (e.g. wave-particle energisation/loss mechanisms), a by-product of the research will be the production of predictive models to specify the flux of particles in the belts, based on the prevailing conditions.
People |
ORCID iD |
Michael Denton (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Borovsky J
(2011)
A survey of the anisotropy of the outer electron radiation belt during high-speed-stream-driven storms RADIATION BELT ANISOTROPY
in Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics
Borovsky J
(2011)
NO EVIDENCE FOR HEATING OF THE SOLAR WIND AT STRONG CURRENT SHEETS
in The Astrophysical Journal
Borovsky J
(2010)
Solar wind turbulence and shear: A superposed-epoch analysis of corotating interaction regions at 1 AU
in Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics
Borovsky J
(2010)
On the heating of the outer radiation belt to produce high fluxes of relativistic electrons: Measured heating rates at geosynchronous orbit for high-speed stream-driven storms
in Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics
Borovsky J
(2010)
Magnetic field at geosynchronous orbit during high-speed stream-driven storms: Connections to the solar wind, the plasma sheet, and the outer electron radiation belt
in Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics
Borovsky J
(2011)
Evolution of the magnetotail energetic-electron population during high-speed-stream-driven storms: Evidence for the leakage of the outer electron radiation belt into the Earth's magnetotail LEAKAGE OF ELECTRON RADIATION BELT
in Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics
Denton M
(2010)
A density-temperature description of the outer electron radiation belt during geomagnetic storms
in Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics
Denton M
(2012)
Magnetosphere response to high-speed solar wind streams: A comparison of weak and strong driving and the importance of extended periods of fast solar wind
in Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics
Forster D
(2013)
Inner magnetospheric heavy ion composition during high-speed stream-driven storms
in Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics
Description | Antarctic Funding Initiative |
Amount | £391,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Natural Environment Research Council |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 05/2010 |
End | 04/2014 |
Description | Astronomy Standard Grant |
Amount | £101,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 04/2011 |
End | 03/2013 |
Description | European Space Agency |
Organisation | European Space Agency |
Country | France |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | Collaboration with members of the European Space Agency Cluster satelllite mission. |
Collaborator Contribution | Publication of research results. |
Impact | Various publications in peer reviewed journals. |
Start Year | 2009 |
Description | Los Alamos National Laboratory (USA) |
Organisation | Los Alamos National Laboratory |
Country | United States |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | Research Analysis - space physics |
Collaborator Contribution | Research Analysis |
Impact | Over 20 joint publications. |
Description | Space Science Institute (USA) |
Organisation | Space Science Institute |
Country | United States |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Collaboration on study of solar wind and magnetosphere |
Collaborator Contribution | Research analysis and publications |
Impact | Publication of research results |
Start Year | 2012 |
Description | AGU Session Convenor |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Scientific meeting (conference/symposium etc.) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Type Of Presentation | Workshop Facilitator |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
Results and Impact | Convened sessions at American Geophysical Union meetings (Fall Meeting, USA, 2011 and Spring Meeting, Brazil, 2010). Research collaboration with Augsberg College, USA. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010,2011 |
Description | Conference/Workshop Speaker |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Scientific meeting (conference/symposium etc.) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Type Of Presentation | Paper Presentation |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
Results and Impact | I have given formal oral/poster sessions at ~25 diffferent meetings in the past five years. Formal collaborations and research projects. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2009,2010,2011,2012,2013 |
Description | Confernce Organisation Committee |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Scientific meeting (conference/symposium etc.) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Type Of Presentation | Workshop Facilitator |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
Results and Impact | Co-organiser of two international meetings in 2011. European Space Agency, ESLAB meeting (Brugge, 2011) ISROSES-II meeting (Bulgaria, 2011) Collaboration and publication of research results |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011 |
Description | NASA/RBSP Launch |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Type Of Presentation | Paper Presentation |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
Results and Impact | Invitation to speak at the NASA Radiation Belt Storm Probes Science Working Group (Florida, USA) - 2012. Also guest at the launch of the NASA/RBSP mission from Cape Kennedy, USA. Current collaboration with NASA/RBSP personnel on various research projects. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
Description | NSERC/CSA Grant Review Panel |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Type Of Presentation | Keynote/Invited Speaker |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
Results and Impact | Part of a panel reviewing proposals to NSERC and the Canadian Space Agency Grants were awarded based on panel recommendations |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2009,2012 |
Description | School Visit (Headlands) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Type Of Presentation | Keynote/Invited Speaker |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Two groups of 30 pupils attended a talk on space science. The school has agreed to host a scientific instrument (VLF radio receiver) to further outreach and collaboration between the PI and the school |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2009,2010,2011,2012,2013 |