Evidence for a global disturbance with monochromatic pulsations and energetic electron bunching

We present data from a number of ground stations and satellites that reveal an example of a previously unreported type of global event. The event is c haracterized by the occurrence of monochromatic pulsations of widely varyin g frequencies in different regions of local times and L shells, The pulsati ons appear to be modulated with a similar to 45 min periodicity, Simultaneo usly, energetic particle fluxes observed at geosynchronous orbit (with ener gies resulting in a drift period of similar to 45 min) appear to become pha se bunched and the pulsations are observed to occur coincident with minima in the particle bunching. Corresponding data from GOES 5 show an increase i n the compressional component of the magnetic field with this period. Data from South Pole Station show fluctuations in the east-west component of the magnetic field at half this period, along with a weak auroral signature an d riometer absorptions. We conclude that the data show the existence of a g lobal disturbance with a compressional magnetic field signature, and we sug gest that this compression induces a radial electric field, based on Farada y's law. Phase bunching of energetic electrons (due to the induction electr ic field) and monochromatic pulsations are consequences of the global distu rbance, although the mechanism responsible for exciting the pulsations is n ot clear.