Experiments in the three meter diameter geodynamo model

这个研究小组建立和研究地核的模型，重点是产生磁场。研究小组使用了一个重达20吨的快速旋转的地核模型来检查有关地核内的湍流和观测到的地磁场变化的问题。尽管众所周知，地球磁场在限制来自太阳的危险辐射方面具有核心重要性，但我们现在没有能力预测磁场的变化。PI和他的团队将收集的数据将以一种允许构建预测工具的方式使用。该项目还用于培养新一代地球物理实验学者，包括本科生指导和研究生培训。此外，公众对科学的欣赏是确保我们国家科技实力的关键组成部分。为了支持公众对科学的欣赏，研究团队向非常广泛的受众提供实验室之旅：中学女生(年度)、高中团体、本科生俱乐部、未来的本科生和研究生、访问教职员工、访问教职员工家属、访问政府工作人员和科学记者。此外，该团队还在研究小组YouTube频道(www.youtube.com/user/n3umh)上发布了简短的教学视频。这项研究的主要重点是利用实验室实验更好地了解地球磁场的动态。研究小组使用了一个重达20吨的快速旋转的地核模型，来研究行星背景下磁场的产生。由于目前的湍流动力学，以及我们对这些动力学有限的理解，地球上有许多未知因素。尽管已知地球磁场在限制来自太阳的危险辐射方面的核心重要性，但该磁场以一种我们目前无法预测的方式动态变化。PI团队开发了一种世界上独一无二的实验设备来模拟我们的行星核心，这使得他们能够探索快速旋转的湍流是如何产生磁场的。要探索的参数值以前从未被研究过，因为该装置是为了在特殊的磁雷诺数下运行而设计的，旨在与地球的雷诺数相匹配。他们将收集的数据可以以一种允许挑战数值理论预测的方式使用。了解地磁场的动力学和预测极限是这个实验项目的中心目标。

This research team builds and studies models of the earth's core with a focus on generating magnetic fields. The research team uses a twenty-ton, rapidly rotating model of the Earth's core to examine questions about the turbulence within the core and observed changes in the Earth's field. Despite the known central importance of the Earth's magnetic field in limiting dangerous radiation from the sun, we do not now have the ability to predict changes in the field. The data the PI and his team will collect will be used in a way that will allow building predictive tools. The project also serves to educate a new generation of scholars in geophysics experiments, including undergraduate mentoring and graduate student training. As well, the public appreciation of science is a critical component of ensuring our nation's strength in science and technology. In support of public appreciation of science the research team offers lab tours to a very broad range of audiences: middle school girls (annual), high school groups, undergraduate clubs, prospective undergraduate and graduate students, visiting faculty, visiting families of faculty and staff, visiting government staff, and science journalists. In addition the team offers short pedagogical videos, posted on the research group YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/user/n3umh).The primary focus of this research is to use laboratory experiments to better understand the dynamics of the Earth's magnetic field. The research team uses a twenty-ton, rapidly rotating model of the Earth's core to examine the generation of magnetic fields in a planetary context. There are many unknowns in the earth due to the turbulent dynamics present, and due to our limited understanding of those dynamics. Despite the known central importance of the Earth's magnetic field in limiting dangerous radiation from the sun, that field changes dynamically in a way that we cannot, for now, forecast. The PI team has developed a world-unique experimental device to model our planetary core, which allows them to explore how rapidly rotating turbulent flows induce magnetic fields. The parameter values to be explored have not been studied previously, as the device is built to run at exceptional magnetic Reynolds numbers, designed to match those of the Earth. The data they will collect can be used in a way that will allow challenges to numerical theory predictions. Understanding the dynamics and prediction limits for the geomagnetic field are central goals for this experimental project.