Mid-Continent Magnetoseismic Chain (McMaC)

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This project will fund the installation of 9 new magnetometers in the U.S. and Mexico. Data from these new stations will be combined with data from the CANOPUS magnetometers in Canada and the IGPP-LANL magnetometers in the U.S. to form a mid-continent magnetometer chain of 22 magnetometers. The project will develop the data analysis tools for using the magnetometer in a manner that is somewhat analogous to seismology and is therefore being called "magnetoseismology." Ultra-Low-Frequency waves detected by the magnetometers will be used to determine the location of the plasmapause and to determine the plasma density within the magnetosphere. Two methods of analysis will be investigated. The first is an eigenmode analysis which determines the mass loading on a magnetic field line be the eigenfrequency of the waves on the field line. The second method will utilize the time of arrive of impulsive signals to determine the density structure within the magnetosphere. The two techniques will provide an inexpensive method of remote sensing of the plasma density of the magnetosphere. The technique will be validated by using in situ measurements from a variety of satellites. The project will provide data that can be used in space weather nowcasting and forecasting. The project will include participation by high school students and university undergraduates. The density data resulting from the project will be an essential resource for two UCLA Ph.D students doing related research.