Evolution of Energetic Proton Parallel Pressure Anisotropy at Geosynchronous Altitudes: Potential Role in Triggering Substorm Expansion Phase Onset

Abstract The sequence of events associated with the triggering of energy release during substorm expansion phase onset is still not well‐understood. Oberhagemann and Mann (2020b, https://doi.org/10.1029/2019gl085271) proposed a new substorm onset mechanism, where the transition toward parallel proto...

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Main Authors: S. S. Babu, I. R. Mann, S. Dimitrakoudis, L. G. Ozeke, I. J. Rae, C. Forsyth, A. W. Smith
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2024-06-01
Series:Geophysical Research Letters
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1029/2023GL105660
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author S. S. Babu
I. R. Mann
S. Dimitrakoudis
L. G. Ozeke
I. J. Rae
C. Forsyth
A. W. Smith
author_facet S. S. Babu
I. R. Mann
S. Dimitrakoudis
L. G. Ozeke
I. J. Rae
C. Forsyth
A. W. Smith
author_sort S. S. Babu
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The sequence of events associated with the triggering of energy release during substorm expansion phase onset is still not well‐understood. Oberhagemann and Mann (2020b, https://doi.org/10.1029/2019gl085271) proposed a new substorm onset mechanism, where the transition toward parallel proton pressure anisotropy during tail stretching in the late growth phase could trigger a pressure anisotropic ballooning instability. Here we examine the evolution of energetic proton parallel pressure anisotropy at geosynchronous altitudes, seeking evidence in support of the proposed substorm onset mechanism. We use the Geostationary Operational Environment Satellite (GOES) proton flux and magnetometer data combined with substorm onset indicators derived from ground‐based magnetometers. Superposed epoch analysis of substorm onset times for 2014 using the isolated substorm list (Ohtani & Gjerloev, 2020, https://doi.org/10.1029/2020ja027902) clearly shows signatures of energetic proton parallel pressure anisotropy immediately before substorm onset, potentially supportive of the Oberhagemann and Mann theory.
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institution OA Journals
issn 0094-8276
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publishDate 2024-06-01
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series Geophysical Research Letters
spelling doaj-art-c2c465e425fa4c4691aed2da23b067902025-08-20T01:52:06ZengWileyGeophysical Research Letters0094-82761944-80072024-06-015112n/an/a10.1029/2023GL105660Evolution of Energetic Proton Parallel Pressure Anisotropy at Geosynchronous Altitudes: Potential Role in Triggering Substorm Expansion Phase OnsetS. S. Babu0I. R. Mann1S. Dimitrakoudis2L. G. Ozeke3I. J. Rae4C. Forsyth5A. W. Smith6Department of Physics University of Alberta Edmonton AB CanadaDepartment of Physics University of Alberta Edmonton AB CanadaDepartment of Physics University of Alberta Edmonton AB CanadaDepartment of Physics University of Alberta Edmonton AB CanadaDepartment of Mathematics, Physics and Electrical Engineering Northumbria University Newcastle UKMullard Space Science Laboratory University College London Dorking UKDepartment of Mathematics, Physics and Electrical Engineering Northumbria University Newcastle UKAbstract The sequence of events associated with the triggering of energy release during substorm expansion phase onset is still not well‐understood. Oberhagemann and Mann (2020b, https://doi.org/10.1029/2019gl085271) proposed a new substorm onset mechanism, where the transition toward parallel proton pressure anisotropy during tail stretching in the late growth phase could trigger a pressure anisotropic ballooning instability. Here we examine the evolution of energetic proton parallel pressure anisotropy at geosynchronous altitudes, seeking evidence in support of the proposed substorm onset mechanism. We use the Geostationary Operational Environment Satellite (GOES) proton flux and magnetometer data combined with substorm onset indicators derived from ground‐based magnetometers. Superposed epoch analysis of substorm onset times for 2014 using the isolated substorm list (Ohtani & Gjerloev, 2020, https://doi.org/10.1029/2020ja027902) clearly shows signatures of energetic proton parallel pressure anisotropy immediately before substorm onset, potentially supportive of the Oberhagemann and Mann theory.https://doi.org/10.1029/2023GL105660
spellingShingle S. S. Babu
I. R. Mann
S. Dimitrakoudis
L. G. Ozeke
I. J. Rae
C. Forsyth
A. W. Smith
Evolution of Energetic Proton Parallel Pressure Anisotropy at Geosynchronous Altitudes: Potential Role in Triggering Substorm Expansion Phase Onset
Geophysical Research Letters
title Evolution of Energetic Proton Parallel Pressure Anisotropy at Geosynchronous Altitudes: Potential Role in Triggering Substorm Expansion Phase Onset
title_full Evolution of Energetic Proton Parallel Pressure Anisotropy at Geosynchronous Altitudes: Potential Role in Triggering Substorm Expansion Phase Onset
title_fullStr Evolution of Energetic Proton Parallel Pressure Anisotropy at Geosynchronous Altitudes: Potential Role in Triggering Substorm Expansion Phase Onset
title_full_unstemmed Evolution of Energetic Proton Parallel Pressure Anisotropy at Geosynchronous Altitudes: Potential Role in Triggering Substorm Expansion Phase Onset
title_short Evolution of Energetic Proton Parallel Pressure Anisotropy at Geosynchronous Altitudes: Potential Role in Triggering Substorm Expansion Phase Onset
title_sort evolution of energetic proton parallel pressure anisotropy at geosynchronous altitudes potential role in triggering substorm expansion phase onset
url https://doi.org/10.1029/2023GL105660
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