Westward Excursion of Pc1/EMIC Waves and Their Source Protons: Paradoxical Observations From Ground and Space

Abstract

Pc1 geomagnetic pulsations within the frequency range of 0.2–5 Hz, the ground signatures of electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves, are usually observed to progress westward. A plausible explanation is that their westward‐excursion speed is defined by the drift velocity of the source particles in the geomagnetic dipole field. In this study, this relationship is examined through conjugate observations from ground‐based and spaceborne instruments. The ground‐based observations, including Pc1 pulsations and auroral emissions, consistently demonstrate a westward‐excursion speed of ∼4–5 MLT per hour, which agrees with the time delay between EMIC wave observations at two equatorial spacecraft. Observations of the wave source particles, however, indicate an inconsistency between the slow westward excursion speed and the high energy of the wave source protons. This apparent inconsistency is reconciled by the trapping motion of energetic particles within magnetic dips, which is supported by the simultaneous flux enhancements of protons across a broad energy range between ∼50 and ∼100 keV. These results improve our understanding of the westward excursion of Pc1 pulsations, and also underscore the need for caution when directly linking their westward‐excursion speed to the energies of the source particles.