Statistical Properties of Plasmaspheric Hiss From Van Allen Probes Observations

Van Allen Probes observations are used to statistically investigate plasmaspheric hiss wave properties. This analysis shows that the wave normal direction of plasmaspheric hiss is predominantly field aligned at larger L shells, with a bimodal distribution, consisting of a near‐field aligned and a highly oblique component, becoming apparent at lower L shells. Investigation of this oblique population reveals that it is most prevalent at L < 3, frequencies with f/fce>0.01 (or f > 700 Hz), low geomagnetic activity levels, and between 1900 and 0900 magnetic local time. This structure is similar to that reported for oblique chorus waves in the equatorial region, perhaps suggesting a causal link between the two wave modes. Ray tracing results from HOTRAY confirm that it is feasible for these oblique chorus waves to be a source of the observed oblique plasmaspheric hiss population. The decrease in oblique plasmaspheric hiss occurrence rates during more elevated geomagnetic activity levels may be attributed to the increase in Landau resonant electrons causing oblique chorus waves to be more substantially damped outside of the plasmasphere. In turn, this restricts the amount of wave power that can access the plasmasphere and evolve into oblique plasmaspheric hiss. These results confirm that, despite the difference in location of this bimodal distribution compared to previous studies, a direct link between oblique equatorial chorus outside of the plasmasphere and oblique hiss at low L shells is plausible. As such, these results are in keeping with the existing theory of chorus as the source of plasmaspheric hiss. Key Points Two distinct populations of plasmaspheric hiss are observed, one more field aligned and one more oblique, particularly at low L shells (L < 3) Oblique hiss is most prevalent during low geomagnetic activity levels and between 1900 and 0900 MLT‐similar to oblique chorus waves Ray tracing confirms that oblique hiss at low L shells is in keeping with the existing theory of chorus as the source of plasmaspheric hiss