Geospace Energy Exchange in Structured Electrodynamic Environments

这项研究是基于一个科学计划，开发一个非相干散射雷达（ISR）的数据分析方法，将被应用到高纬度扑克平坦非相干散射雷达（PFISR）和Resolute湾非相干散射雷达（RISR）雷达测量导致高时空测量密度，温度和速度以及相关的电动力学和能量量。这些数据产品的分辨率将比目前全球模拟（次网格）的分辨率更高。该奖项研究的首要目标是促进和加强对与磁层电离层热层耦合和能量转移过程有关的小尺度结构的理解。研究人员将联合收割机将这些雷达测量与离子漂移和极光图像的原位卫星测量相结合，以解决两个基本的科学目标：1）电离层结构机制的作用（例如电离、化学、扩散）（极冠、尖点、极光带）和2）影响能量耗散的因素，包括等离子体密度结构，自由能源，和数据质量。这项研究将解决五个具体问题：1）碰撞电离、传输、扩散和化学是如何协同工作来构造高纬度电离层和电导率的？ 2)构造机制的相对重要性在极冠、尖点、极光带和这些区域之间的边界之间有何不同？ 3)如何在电导率的变化，驱动通过M-I耦合，影响的形式，率，和分区的能量耗散在区域尺度？ 4)实验结果如何受到分辨率、配准和导出参数字段中的统计不确定性的影响？5)自由能的来源（例如，亚暴与稳定重联与高纬度重联与尖点）影响能量消散？该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并被认为是值得通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估的支持。

This research is based upon a science plan to develop an Incoherent Scatter Radar (ISR) data analysis approach that would be applied to high latitude Poker Flat Incoherent Scatter Radar (PFISR) and Resolute bay Incoherent Scatter Radar (RISR) radar measurements resulting in high spatio-temporal measurements of densities, temperatures, and velocities and the associated electrodynamic and energy quantities. The resolution for these data products would be of a finer resolution than that available from current global simulations (sub-grid). The foremost aim of the award research is to contribute to and enhance the understanding of small-scale structures that are associated with the Magnetosphere Ionosphere Thermosphere (MIT) coupling and energy transfer processes. The researchers would combine these radar measurements with in-situ satellite measurements of ion drifts and auroral images to address two fundamental science objectives: 1) the role of ionospheric structuring mechanisms (e.g. ionization, chemistry, diffusion) in various high latitude regions (polar cap, cusp, auroral zone) and 2) the factors impacting energy dissipation including plasma density structuring, free energy sources, and data quality. A graduate student would be supported for this research.The investigation would address five specific questions: 1), How do impact ionization, transport, diffusion, and chemistry, work in concert to structure the high latitude ionosphere and, hence, conductivity? 2) How does the relative importance of structuring mechanisms vary between the polar cap, cusp, auroral zone, and the boundaries between these regions? 3) How do variations in conductivity, driven through M-I coupling, affect the form, rate, and partitioning of energy dissipation over regional scales? 4) How are experimental results impacted by resolution, registration, and statistical uncertainties in the derived parameter fields? 5) How does the source of free energy (e.g., substorm versus steady reconnection versus high-lat reconnection versus cusp) impact energy dissipation?This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.