Non-storm losses in the outer radiation belt

What is it about?

We report observations of electron Phase Space Density (PSD) dropout and evidence that supports the loss mechanism of magnetopause shadowing and outward radial diffusion during a nonstorm period characterized by persistently positive values of the SYM-H index. It is shown, for the first time in detail, that significant losses to the magnetosheath may occur even in the absence of significant reconnection and magnetic storm activity.

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Why is it important?

We show that magnetopause shadowing can occur even during periods of northward IMF with limited compression of the magnetosphere. Moreover outward diffusion driven by Pc5 waves can lead to relativistic electron losses from high L-shells.