Collaborative Research: Continued Study of Ultra Low Frequency (ULF) Waves at Cusp Latitudes on Svalbard to Probe Earth's Space Environment

在挪威的斯瓦尔巴群岛上安装了大量的陆基仪器。斯瓦尔巴群岛经常位于极点场线上，这些极点场线映射到地球磁层的外边界，在那里它与太阳风和行星际磁场(IMF)相互作用。这项提议分为两部分：一部分是支持四个搜索线圈磁力仪(感应天线)阵列的继续运行和数据处理。第二部分是对这四个工具的数据进行分析。斯瓦尔巴群岛是北半球唯一一个可以在中午的黑暗中长时间观察到极点场线的地方。除了四个搜索线圈磁强计、极光成像仪和光度计外，还有几个雷达(EISCAT、SPEAR和SuperDARN)以及图像链最北端的磁通门磁强计位于斯瓦尔巴特群岛。这使得斯瓦尔巴群岛成为在磁力线上观测电离层现象的绝佳地点。使用搜索线圈和其他仪器的数据进行的研究主要有三种类型：a.重点了解尖点Pc1-2波的观测结果及其对辐射带动力学的影响。在Pc1-2频率范围内，电磁离子回旋波(EMIC)被认为与辐射带中的MeV电子发生共振作用。将研究与极光降水有关的波和辐射带动力学以及波(有时持续数天)的持续性。B.)与EISCAT雷达联合使用主动雷达空间等离子体探测(SPEAR)加热器设施探测电离层阿尔芬谐振器(IAR)。IAR是电离层中的一个区域，在低海拔以F或E区为界，在高海拔以阿尔芬速度的峰值为界。这项研究将表征IAR的品质因数(Q)。品质因数将存储在谐振器中的能量与消耗的能量联系起来。如果IAR被驱动足够长的时间，谐振器中包含的能量将与Q成正比。通过控制来自鱼叉加热器的输入能量，他们将能够确定Q.C.)。研究甚高纬度的PC3-4波的特性。在这项研究中，SuperDARN雷达将与搜索线圈一起使用，以确定PC3-4的强度作为相对于尖点位置的函数。目标将是确定这些超低频波如何到达高纬度电离层。来自四个近距离空间磁力仪的数据对一些空间物理研究非常有价值。该团队将通过NASA虚拟天文台向科学界提供这些数据。这项提案将支持新汉普郡大学的一名研究生和奥格斯堡学院的一名本科生。

A large array of ground based instruments has been installed on the Svalbard archipelago in Norway. Svalbard is frequently on polar cusp field lines that map to the outer boundary of the Earth's magnetosphere where it interacts with the solar wind and interplanetary magnetic field (IMF). This proposal has two parts: One part is for support for the continued operation of and processing data from an array of four search coil magnetometers (induction antennas). The second part is to carry out analysis of data from these four instruments. Svalbard is the only place in the northern hemisphere where polar cusp field lines can be observed for extended periods in darkness at noon. In addition to the four search coil magnetometers auroral imagers and photometers, several radars (EISCAT, SPEAR and SuperDarn) and the northernmost fluxgate magnetometers of the IMAGE chain are located on Svalbard. This makes Svalbard an excellent place to carry out observations of ionospheric phenomena on magnetic field lines that map to the magnetopause. Three main types of studies using the data from the search coils and other instruments are:a.) Make a concentrated effort to understand the observations of Pc 1-2 waves in the cusp and their effect on radiation belt dynamics. In the Pc 1-2 frequency range electromagnetic ion cyclotron waves (EMIC) are thought to interact resonantly with MeV electrons in the radiation belts. The waves and radiation belt dynamics and the persistence of waves (sometimes seen for days) will be studied as well as waves associated with auroral precipitation. b.) Probe the Ionosphere Alfvén Resonator (IAR) by using the Space Plasma Exploration by Active Radar (SPEAR) heater facility in conjunction with the EISCAT radar. The IAR is a region in the ionosphere bounded by the F or E region at lower altitudes and by a peak in the Alfvén velocity at higher altitudes. This research will characterize the quality factor (Q) of the IAR. The quality factor relates the energy stored in the resonator with the energy dissipated. If the IAR is driven long enough the energy contained in the resonator will be proportional to Q. By controlling the input energy from the SPEAR heater they will be able to determine Q. c.) Investigate the properties of PC3-4 waves at very high latitudes. In this study SuperDARN radar will be used along with the search coils to determine the intensity of PC 3-4 as a function of position with respect to the cusp. The goal will be to determine how these ULF waves reach the high latitude ionosphere. The data from the four closely space magnetometers are very valuable for a number of space physics studies. The team will make the data available to the scientific community through the NASA Virtual Observatories. This proposal will support a graduate student at the University of New Hampshire and an undergraduate researcher at Augsburg College.