The response of the inner magnetosphere to the trailing edges of high‐speed solar‐wind streams

The effects of the leading edge stream interface of high‐speed solar‐wind streams (HSSs) upon the Earth’s magnetosphere have been extensively documented. The arrival of HSSs leads to significant changes in the plasmasphere, plasma sheet, ring current, and radiation belts, during the evolution from slow solar wind to persistent fast solar wind. Studies have also documented effects in the lower ionosphere and the neutral atmosphere. However, only cursory attention has been paid to the trailing‐edge stream interface during the transition back from fast solar wind to slow solar wind. Here we report on the statistical changes that occur in the plasmasphere, plasma sheet, ring current, and electron radiation belt during the passage of the trailing‐edge stream interface of HSSs, when the magnetosphere is in most respects in an extremely quiescent state. Counterintuitively, the peak flux of ~1 MeV electrons is observed to occur at this interface. In contrast, other regions of the magnetosphere demonstrate extremely quiet conditions. As with the leading‐edge stream interface, the occurrence of the trailing‐edge stream interface has a periodicity of 27 days, and hence, understanding the changes that occur in the magnetosphere during the passage of trailing edges of HSSs can lead to improved forecasting and predictability of the magnetosphere as a system.Key PointsThe electron radiation belt flux peaks during the passage of HSS trailing‐edge stream interfaceCounterintuitively, the peak flux occurs when the magnetosphere is in its most calm configurationThe hazard from so‐called killer electrons is maximized; at the same time, hazard from spacecraft surface charging is minimizedPeer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/136314/1/jgra53192.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/136314/2/jgra53192_am.pd