Low-cost Monitoring of Energetic Particle Precipitation: Weather Balloon-borne Timepix Measurements During the May 2024 Superstorm

TL;DR

This study demonstrates a low-cost, balloon-borne Timepix detector system capable of high-resolution measurements of energetic electron precipitation during a superstorm, revealing periodic bursts linked to space weather phenomena.

Contribution

Introduces a novel, low-cost, balloon-based Timepix detector payload for high-resolution space weather measurements, validated during the May 2024 superstorm.

Findings

Detected four-minute periodic bursts of electron precipitation.

Validated measurements with ground-based riometer data.

Identified potential modulation by Pc5 ULF waves.

Abstract

Understanding energetic electron precipitation is crucial for accurate space weather modeling and forecasting, impacting the Earth's upper atmosphere and human infrastructure. This study presents a low-cost, low-mass, and low-power solution for high-fidelity analysis of electron precipitation events by measuring the resulting bremsstrahlung X-ray emissions. Specifically, we report on results from the flight of a radiation detector payload based on a silicon pixel read-out Timepix detector technology, and its successful utilization onboard a `burster' weather balloon. We launched this payload during the May 2024 superstorm, capturing high-resolution measurements of both background galactic cosmic ray radiation as well as storm-time energetic electron precipitation. We further developed particle and radiation detection algorithms to separate bremsstrahlung X-rays from other particle species in the pixel-resolved trajectories as seen in the Timepix detector. The measurements revealed a distinctive four-peak structure in X-ray flux, corresponding to periodic four-minute-long bursts of energetic electron precipitation between 21:20 and 21:40 UT. This precipitation was also observed by a riometer station close to the balloon launch path, further validating balloon measurements and the developed X-ray identification algorithm. The clear periodic structure of the measured precipitation is likely caused by modulation of the electron losses from the radiation belt by harmonic Pc5 ULF waves, observed contemporaneously on the ground. The study underscores the potential of compact, low-cost payloads for advancing our understanding of space weather. Specifically, we envision a potential use of such Timepix-based detectors in space science, for example on sounding rockets or nano-, micro-, and small satellite platforms.