Space Weather: Point Mosaic Auroral Imaging - Science Qualification Study

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The investigators will continue assessing the possibility of using data from the IRIDIUM satellites to continuously monitor the location of the auroral oval. The magnetometers on the satellites measure perturbations when passing through field-aligned currents associated with auroral precipitation. The combined data from many satellites can be used to identify the instantaneous location of the auroral oval on a global basis. The auroral oval reflects the global state of the magnetosphere-ionosphere system and the field-aligned currents are the principal means by which stresses are transmitted from the magnetosphere to the ionosphere. The investigators will define the science products that can be derived from the IRIDIUM magnetometer data and perform scientific qualification studies of these products to determine their accuracy, reliability, and relation to currently available monitors of the auroral boundaries, currents, and magnetospheric dynamics. The study includes the development of algorithms for handling the data from multiple spacecraft automatically, comparison of results for individual case studies, and the negotiation of an agreement with Motorola Corp. for long-term access to the data.