Localized Enhancements of Energetic Proton Fluxes at Low Altitudes in the Subauroral Region and Their Relation to the Pc1 Pulsations

A special kind of variation of energetic proton fluxes inside the anisotropic precipitation zone is considered using the data from the low-altitude satellites NOAA/TIROS. The variation is characterized by a localized (within 1° of latitude) enhancement of >30 keV protons, both trapped at the spacecraft altitude and precipitating. A close correlation is shown between the morphological characteristics of the proton precipitation and the Pc1 pulsations observed by the ground-based geophysical observatory Sodankylä. The probability of observation of the Pc1 pulsation by a ground-based station decreases with increasing MLT distance between this station and the projection of the satellite detecting the precipitating protons. The Pc1 pulsation frequency decreases as the proton burst latitude increases. These findings support the ion-cyclotron mechanism of the Pc1 production suggesting that both wave generation and particle scattering occur in the source region.