CAREER: Magnetosphere-Ionosphere Coupling through Multi-Sensor Data Fusion

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This is a five-year CAREER award. The research project is for the development of physics-based data fusion techniques for the analysis of multi-sensor observations of Magnetosphere-Ionosphere coupling. The focus of the study is the auroral transition region (80-1000 km) of the ionosphere. Three specific science questions will be addressed using the new technique: Which physical process is responsible for the electron acceleration in aurora? Where and how does the magnetospheric convection electric field decouple from the ionosphere? Which role does ionospheric ion outflow play in this context? The basic idea is to combine existing models for the processes under consideration and data from a large variety of sources, including in-situ satellites, incoherent scatter radars, and ground based optical measurements, to identify inconsistencies. These will point to areas that are either not well understood or where the current models do not include sufficient physics (e.g. time dependence in auroral acceleration). A specific feature of the proposal is that it is designed to take advantage of the advanced capabilities of the new Advanced Modular Incoherent Scatter Radar (AMISR) facility. Students, both undergraduate and graduate, will participate extensively in the research project. In addition, environmental remote sensing concepts, including the proposed research project, will be incorporated into undergraduate and graduate courses that the Principal Investigator teaches.