Solar Wind-Magnetosphere-Ionosphere Coupling

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One of the unifying concepts of space (and astrophysical) plasma science is that of explosive energy conversions (EPCs). This project is a systematic attempt to uncover a universal process underlying the occurrence of EPCs through a comparative study of its most well known examples: coronal mass ejections and magnetospheric substorms. One potential candidate for such a universal process is the loss of equilibrium between repulsive and attractive forces operating on a magnetic bubble. A tail-like configuration forms, creating a "champagne-glass" magnetic structure. The investigation will use three different, global, MHD simulation models available at the Community Coordinated Modeling Center (CCMC) to simulate substorms and test whether the loss of equilibrium signature is present. If the signature is present then the simulations will be used to determine how the evolution of the magnetosphere under suitable solar wind conditions leads to the emergence of the loss of equilibrium. The use of three different and independent MHD codes will be used to test the robustness of the result.A second goal is coupled with the basic research effort. The simulation results will be used to construct a comprehensive set of unit lessons in basic solar-terrestrial physics. The lessons will be routinely updated through growth and user feedback and will be accessible interactively through the CCMC web site.