NSWP: Space Weather Event Modeling of Plasma Injection in the Inner Magnetosphere

拟议的研究将对内部磁层进行各种观测到的事件的模拟，并将输出与一套远程和现场测量结果进行比较。模拟将使用最新版本的Rice对流模型（RCM）进行。动机有两个：1)更好地理解耗尽的等离子体片磁通管向内磁层转移的核心重要性；2)将这种改进的认识纳入RCM的计算机制中，以增强和评估其作为表示空间天气的实用工具的用途。此外，拟议的研究将作为对RCM最近重大修改的彻底验证，包括但不一定限于磁通管交换效应，偶极子倾斜以及在更广泛的磁场配置范围内操作的能力。最近对RCM的改进还包括一个简单的数据同化方案，以供业务使用，确保模型电子通量与现有的地球同步航天器数据一致。在项目结束时，经过充分验证的RCM将通过社区协调建模中心或莱斯大学提供给空间科学界。该项目还包括通过一名博士后研究员和一名研究生的支持产生教育影响。

The proposed research will perform simulations of the inner magnetosphere for a variety of well-observed events and compare the output with a suite of both remote and in situ measurements. The simulations will be done using the latest version of the Rice Convection Model (RCM). The motivations are twofold: 1) understand better the central importance of the transfer of depleted plasma sheet flux tubes into the inner magnetosphere; and 2) incorporate this improved understanding into the computational machinery of the RCM in order to enhance and evaluate its use as a practical tool for representing space weather. In addition, the proposed research will serve as a thorough validation of recent significant modifications to the RCM, including but not necessarily limited to the inclusion of magnetic flux tube interchange effects, dipole tilt and the ability to operate with a much broader range of magnetic field configurations. The recent improvements to the RCM also include a simple data assimilation scheme for operational use that ensures model electron fluxes are consistent with available geosynchronous spacecraft data. At the end of the project, the fully validated RCM will be made available to the space science community, either through the Community Coordinated Modeling Center or through Rice University. The project also includes an educational impact through the support of a postdoctoral researcher and a graduate student.