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

该项目将研究环电流在不同太阳风条件下和太阳周期不同阶段的行为。 还将研究太阳风能耦合到磁层的机制。 将利用地面磁力计的数据以及航天器现场测量的数据来确定环电流的状况。 这将有助于更好地了解环电流的动态，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，该大学传统上为科学研究中代表性不足的少数民族（西班牙裔）提供服务。 该补助金将资助从事硕士论文以及一些本科研究项目的学生。 很可能有一个或多个研究生将继续获得博士学位。在空间物理学或相关领域。 该项目还将开发以空间科学为重点的同伴教学概念问题。 这些问题将通过国家科学基金会支持的伽利略项目网站收集和传播。 通过伽利略项目传播成果，这些材料不仅将影响UTEP的物理教育，也将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.