The magnetosphere acts as a natural plasma laboratory, hosting Earth’s radiation belts that are filled with high-energy particles. The energetic electrons pose risks to Earth-orbiting satellites and astronauts. Many of the space systems on which modern human society depends operate in Earth’s radiation belts region. The fluxes of energetic electrons in the radiation belts are very dynamic, which is not fully understood due to the delicate balance between various acceleration and loss processes. Wave-particle interactions are believed to play a crucial role for the acceleration and loss of these particles. To quantify the effect of different waves on the dynamics of radiation belt electrons, comprehensive wave models are needed. Currently there are some wave models based on satellite measurements. However, the space coverage of these wave models is not sufficient due to the orbit limit of satellites.
In the ERC funded WIRE project, we will use measurements from multiple satellites to develop improved wave models with a better coverage of the radiation belts. These wave models will be used to enhance advanced radiation belt simulation tools. For the first time, diffusion coefficients will be calculated using a more realistic background magnetic field and plasma density model. This allows to quantify how different plasma waves contribute to the acceleration and loss of relativistic electrons.
The simulation results will be systematically compared with satellite observations to assess the competition between acceleration and loss processes. By improving wave models and radiation belt simulations, WIRE aims to explain why Earth’s radiation belts can respond very differently to geomagnetic storms of similar intensity. The results also contribute to a better understanding of fundamental plasma processes in space.
Project duration: 06/2024 – 05/2029
Funding: European Union (EU), European Research Council (ERC)
Principal Investigator: Dr. Dedong Wang (GFZ)
Collaboration: Nagoya University: Prof. Dr. Yoshizumi Miyoshi; Kyoto University: Prof. Dr. Yoshiharu Omura; Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Czech Academy of Sciences: Prof. Dr. Ondrej Santolik