LIGHTNING-INDUCED COUPLING OF THE RADIATION BELTS TO GEOMAGNETICALLY CONJUGATE IONOSPHERIC REGIONS

摘要: Very-low-frequency (VLF) radio observations in Antarctica and North America provide the first evidence that bursts of energetic electrons from Earth’s radiation belts commonly precipitate into geomagnetically conjugate ionospheric regions response to lightning. The electrons, with energies ranging tens keV over one MeV, appear be scattered out their otherwise stable trap magnetic field by magnetospheric interactions a regularly observed class transient, lightning-generated VLF waves known as ducted whistlers. precipitating ionize atmospheric molecules at altitudes between 40 90 km, creating transient enhancements ionization levels locations. These disturbances can detected characteristic perturbations, sometimes called “Trimpi events,” amplitude phase transmitter signals propagating subionospherically within 200–250 km disturbed areas. detailed, one-to-one comparison such signal monitored regions, multipath structure, arrival azimuths, predicted electron scattering simultaneously whistlers suggests every whistler precipitates belt electrons. If so, estimated rate which contribute losses is comparable for plasmaspheric hiss, different wave often considered control structure belts. Lightning could therefore play significant role maintenance equilibrium.