CAREER: Dynamics and Evolution of Magnetic Storms in Varying Solar Wind Conditions

该项目将研究在不同太阳风条件下和太阳周期不同阶段环电流的行为。太阳风与磁层耦合的机制也将被研究。将利用地面磁力计的数据以及航天器现场测量的数据来描述环电流的状态。这将使人们更好地理解环电流的动力学，特别是在磁暴的不同阶段。这项工作将在德克萨斯大学埃尔帕索分校（UTEP）进行，这所大学传统上在科学研究中服务于代表性不足的少数民族（西班牙裔）。该基金将资助从事硕士论文工作的学生以及一些本科生研究项目。很可能有一个或多个研究生将继续获得空间物理学或密切相关领域的博士学位。该项目还将开发以空间科学为重点的同伴指导概念问题。这些问题将通过nsf支持的伽利略项目网站收集和传播。通过伽利略计划传播这些成果，这些材料不仅会影响UTEP的物理教育，也会影响许多其他机构的物理教育。

This project will examine the behavior of the ring current under different solar wind conditions and during different phases of the solar cycle. The mechanisms by which solar wind energy is coupled into the magnetosphere will also be examined. Data from ground-based magnetometers as well as data from in situ spacecraft measurements will be utilized to characterize the status of the ring current. This will allow an improved understanding of the dynamics of the ring current, particularly during different phases of a magnetic storm. The work will be performed at the University of Texas El Paso (UTEP), a university that has traditionally served an under-represented minority (Hispanic) in scientific research. The grant will fund students working on Master's theses as well as a number of undergraduate research projects. It is likely that one or more of the graduate students will go on to earn a Ph.D. in space physics or a closely related field. The project will also develop space-science-focused Peer Instruction concept questions. These questions will be collected and disseminated via the NSF-supported Project Galileo website. By disseminating the results through Project Galileo the material will effect physics education not only at UTEP but at many other institutions as well.