The excitation, propagation, and role of ULF waves in magnetospheric dynamics

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The objectives for this Discovery Grant research program are all related to understanding energy transport in a region of near-Earth space called the magnetosphere. Specifically, the research will address two of the most important outstanding questions in space physics: the acceleration of so-called satellite "killer" electrons in the Van Allen radiation belts to significant fractions of the speed of light, and the explosive release of energy in the magnetospheric substorm. The question of what accelerates electrons to speeds close to the speed of light remains unanswered since the accidental discovery of this radiation by James Van Allen with Explorer 1 nearly 50 years ago. This question also has broader astrophysical importance as a fundamental particle acceleration process in the universe, as well as technological importance since a number of satellite failures and anomalies are linked to discharging triggered by this radiation. Indeed, this is a high priority for the International Living With A Star (ILWS) program in which Canada is an active participant. This Discovery Grant will also enable the ground-based monitoring of the processes following the explosive release of energy in a substorm, the process responsible for creating the most spectacular displays of the northern lights. Our research program will target the characterization of the energy transport in unprecedented detail using data from ground-based magnetometers in the CARISMA array (the proposer is the PI). Supporting data from ground-based optical, radar and GPS instruments in the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) funded Canadian Geospace Monitoring program, as well as analysis of data from the recently launched five satellite THEMIS mission (the proposer is a Co-Investigator) and other satellite platforms, will also be key. The proposed research program also has important synergy with science targets for forthcoming satellite missions including the CSA e-POP (enhanced Polar Outflow Probe) small satellite mission, due for launch in 2008, for the ESA SWARM mission (launch 2010), and for the approved NASA Radiation Belt Storm Probes (the proposer is a Co-I) and the proposed CSA ORBITALS (the proposer is the PI) missions which will target the Van Allen belts around 2011-12.