Using pitch angle index to quantify anisotropies in the outer radiation belt

Changes in pitch angle distributions can be a useful indicator of various changes in the radiation belts. Many methods of observing pitch angle distributions are qualitative. We present a method of studying pitch angle distributions that allows for a quantitative analysis of pitch angle distributions over time and energy channels, which allows for closer monitoring of spatial and temporal changes in the radiation belts. We use Van Allen Probes data from both spacecraft in fit pitch angle distributions with the form J₀sinⁿα, tracking ‘n’ over time. We use this method of tracking pitch angle distributions to establish a connection between very localized wave particle interactions and particle scattering.