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Abstract Using a two‐way coupled magnetohydrodynamics with embedded kinetic physics model, we perform a substorm event simulation to study electron velocity distribution functions (VDFs) evolution associated with Bursty Bulk Flows (BBFs). The substorm was observed by Magnetospheric Multiscale satellite on 16 May 2017. The simulated BBF macroscopic characteristics and electron VDFs agree well with observations. The VDFs from the BBF tail to its dipolarization front (DF) during its earthward propagation are revealed and they show clear energization and heating. The electron pitch angle distributions (PADs) at the DF are also tracked, which show interesting energy dependent features. Lower energy electrons develop a “two‐hump” PAD while the higher energy ones show persist “pancake” distribution. Our study reveals for the first time the evolution of electron VDFs as a BBF moves earthward using a two‐way coupled global and kinetic model, and provides valuable contextual understanding for the interpretation of satellite observations.
Wang et al. (Sat,) studied this question.