Theoretical Investigation of Magnetospheric Convection

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This project centers on use of the Rice Convection Model (RCM) to study the Earth's magnetosphere and its coupling to the ionosphere and thermosphere. Computer experiments based in interactively combining the RCM with numerical models of the thermosphere should allow determination of whether thermospheric winds can substantially affect the injection of the magnetosphere's storm-time ring current. Combined magnetosphere-ionosphere-thermosphere simulations will also be directed at the dynamic behavior of the low-mid-latitude ionospheric electric fields, which move the ionospheric F-layer and affect its structure. Utilizing newly developed computational machinery for representation of radiation-belt particles, field-aligned potential drops, charge exchange with neutrals, auroral precipitation, and substorm-associated collapse of the magnetotail magnetic field, computer experiments with the RCM will probe the effects of these processes on basic magnetospheric phenomena, particularly substorms and storms.