Generation of Very Low Frequency waves in space

Chorus is a Very Low Frequency (VLF) radio emission commonly observed both in the magnetosphere and on the ground. It consists of numerous brief discrete rising tones and has an aural similarity to the sound of birds.

Chorus is thought to be generated in close proximity to the geomagnetic equator by the transfer of energy from anisotropic hot electrons to whistler mode waves by the cyclotron resonance interaction. In the process the electrons are scattered in pitch angle, many of them sliding into the loss cone and subsequently being precipitated into the atmosphere.

The objective of this project is to explore the relationship between chorus emissions and particle precipitation. A possible sequence of investigations might be:
• determine the distribution of chorus occurrence in season and local time;
• select a number of well defined periods during which chorus was observed;
• identify enhanced precipitation associated with the emissions.
Issues which should be addressed are:
1. is there always enhanced precipitation when chorus is observed?
2. at what local times is chorus-driven precipitation most prevalent?
3. are there variations with geomagnetic activity?
4. is there evidence for a minimum L at which precipitation is observed?
5. is it possible to identify radial drift in the precipitation region?

Three months of the project work will be carried out at University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.

Familiarity with Matlab and basic knowledge of space physics are required.