Understanding the fundamental space plasma physics which causes space weather

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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 fifty 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 as well as the focus for the NASA Radiation Belt Storm Probes mission launched in August 2012 (proposer is a Co-I). This Discovery Grant will also enable the ground-based monitoring of the processes following the explosive release of energy in a substorm. The substorm is responsible for creating the most spectacular displays of the northern lights and this research will be completed in partnership with the NASA THEMIS mission (proposer is a Co-I). We will target the characterization of energy transport in unprecedented detail using coordinated studies combining data from satellites and ground-based magnetometers in the CARISMA array (the proposer is the PI), as well as supporting data from ground-based optical, radar and GPS instruments in the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) funded Canadian Geospace Monitoring program. The proposed research program also has important synergy with science targets for forthcoming Canadian roles in other satellite missions including the CSA-lead enhanced Polar Outflow Probe (e-POP) small satellite mission and the 3 satellite European Space Agency SWARM constellation mission (both to be launched in 2013).