Electron Lifetimes Measured at LEO: Comparison With RBSP Estimates and Pitch Angle Resolved Lifetimes

Abstract

AbstractElectron lifetimes are important for understanding the dominant loss processes of radiation belt electrons to the atmosphere and for accurate radiation belt modeling. We estimate electron lifetimes from the precipitating population measured in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) from the Polar Orbiting Environmental Satellites (POES). We compare our estimates to previous estimates from the Radiation Belt Storm Probes (RBSP) by Claudepierre et al. (2020b, https://doi.org/10.1029/2019GL086053). We also present the first complete pitch angle resolved lifetimes in the radiation belts. Quasi‐linear theory predicts the pitch angle distribution decays uniformly, therefore if steady‐state decay is realized, POES and RBSP should measure similar lifetimes. Lifetime estimates from LEO are shown to be in good agreement with those from Van Allen Probes in the outer belt and pitch angle resolved lifetimes indicate that steady‐state decay is realized. However, a systematic slight overestimation of the POES lifetimes reveal that the POES instruments may suffer from bremsstrahlung contamination. At L = 2–3, no decay intervals were identified in the POES electron fluxes and the near loss cone RBSP electron fluxes. We show that at these L‐shells, where lifetimes are long, there is an apparent decoupling of the perpendicular and parallel flux. Large pitch angle anisotropy and processes that affect low pitch angle electrons are two explanations for this apparent decoupling. Electron lifetime models that use pitch angle independent lifetimes, derived from the equatorially mirroring electron flux, likely underestimate the amount of precipitating flux and may not capture the dynamics of low equatorial pitch angle electrons at L < 3.