Collaborative Research: GEM--Multi-scale Magnetosphere-Ionosphere-Thermosphere Coupling Dynamics Driven by Bursty Bulk Flows

这一合作项目旨在调查地球夜间磁层内的快速等离子体流动及其对高层大气(电离层和热层)的影响。快速等离子体流的动力学是一个突出的磁层-电离层-热层耦合问题，与磁层中突然的磁场拓扑重构、爆炸电流的形成、粒子加速和能量释放有关。该项目的模拟-观测结果将大大加深我们对夜间过渡区磁层-高层大气耦合过程的理解。这笔资金将促进两名年轻研究人员的专业发展，其中包括一名博士后。邹皮博士是一名女性教职员工，她将领导团队，指导早期职业科学家，并为研究生提供建议。该项目利用空间天气模式框架(SWMF)内的双向耦合全球MHD-PIC模式和综合多仪器观测，研究了BBF的动力学及其对耦合MIT系统的影响。要解决的具体科学问题包括：(SQ1)与BBF相关的粒子速度分布是什么？当BBF向地球传播时，它们是如何进化的？(SQ2)FAC在BBF双极化区是如何分布的？它们的黎明-黄昏不对称性是否像最近的理论所说的那样？多个高炉和他们的小楔子能组成传统的SCW吗？(SQ3)就电离层密度结构和气辉发射而言，BBF对夜间信息技术系统有何影响？该项目的成果将对多个新的宝石焦点小组有价值，并将通过加深对导致脉冲能量释放到IT系统的磁层驱动因素的了解，使雪松社区受益。这项拟议的活动还将加强NSF支持的雷达设施、安培和SuperMAG项目的科学回报。这一奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This collaborative project aims to investigate the fast plasma flows within the Earth's nightside magnetosphere and their effects on the upper atmosphere (ionosphere and thermosphere). The dynamics of the fast plasma flows is an outstanding magnetosphere-ionosphere-thermosphere coupling problem associated with sudden magnetic field topology reconfiguration and explosive current formation, particle acceleration, and energy release in the magnetosphere. The simulation-observation results of this project will significantly deepen our understanding of magnetosphere-upper atmosphere coupling processes in the nightside transition region. Funds provided by this grant will promote two young researchers' professional development, including one postdoc. PI Dr. Zou, a female faculty member, will lead the team, mentor the early career scientists, and advise graduate students. This project studies the dynamics of BBFs and their effects on the coupled MIT system using a two-way coupled global MHD-PIC model within the Space Weather Modeling Framework (SWMF) and comprehensive multi-instrument observations. Specific science questions to be addressed include: (SQ1) What are the particle velocity distributions associated with BBF? How do they evolve as BBF propagates earthward? (SQ2) How are the FACs distributed in the BBF dipolarization regions? Are their dawn-dusk asymmetries as suggested by recent theory? Can multiple BBFs and their wedgelets form the traditional SCW? (SQ3) What is the impact of BBF on the nightside IT system in terms of ionospheric density structures and airglow emission? The results of this project will be valuable to multiple new GEM focus groups and will also benefit the CEDAR community by deepening the understanding of the magnetospheric drivers that cause impulsive energy release into the IT system. The proposed activity will also enhance the scientific return of the NSF-supported radar facilities, AMPERE, and SuperMAG projects.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.