Direct Evidence for Auroral Kilometric Radiation Propagation Into Radiation Belts Based on Arase Spacecraft and Van Allen Probe B.

Recent studies have shown that auroral kilometric radiation (AKR) can propagate from the polar source cavity into the equatorial radiation belt but there is no direct evidence yet. By examining 19‐month data from Arase satellite and Van Allen Probes, we report a unique event that distinct AKR emissions are observed simultaneously at high and low latitudes, with the peak wave spectra in the frequency 300–400 kHz. Using the three‐dimensional ray tracing method, we simulate the AKR ray paths at three typical frequencies (220, 350, and 550 kHz), and show that more ray paths for 350 kHz can propagate downward through the locations of Arase satellite and Van Allen Probe B than those for other two frequencies. This result can successfully explain the observation and provides a direct evidence that AKR can propagate to low latitude radiation belt under suitable conditions. Plain Language Summary: Auroral kilometric radiation (AKR) is a widely existing electromagnetic wave in the magnetosphere and has potential for acceleration or precipitation loss of energetic electrons, yielding serious damage to orbiting space systems or ozone destruction in the atmosphere. Previous observation and numerical simulation have shown that AKR originated from the polar cavity region can be presented in the low latitude even in the equator. However, there is no direct observational evidence yet due to lack of the correlated data at higher and lower latitudes. Here, we examine observations of Arase satellite and Van Allen Probes from 25 March 2017 to 30 October 2018, and find a unique AKR event detected simultaneously by the Arase satellite (at high latitude) and Probe B (at low latitude). Using 3‐D ray tracing method, we simulate AKR paths for different frequencies (220, 350, and 550 kHz) with suitable wave normal angles and azimuthal angles. We show that more ray paths for 350 kHz can pass through the locations of Arase satellite and Probe B than those for other two frequencies, consistent with the observations. The current result provides a direct evidence that AKR can propagate to low latitude radiation belt under suitable conditions. Key Points: A unique auroral kilometric radiation (AKR) event is reported simultaneously by Arase satellite and Van Allen Probes during 19‐month observationsSimulations show that more AKR for 350 kHz pass the locations of two satellites, consistent with observationsAKR raypaths are highly dependent on wave frequency, initial wave normal angles and azimuthal angles [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]