Observational tests of auroral theories from a new generation of space and ground-based instrumentation.

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Space Environment research addresses the coupled system that spans the outer layers of the sun, the solar wind, planetary magnetospheres, and planetary atmospheres. This system includes a massive flow of energy carried by the solar wind which, upon encountering the earth's magnetosphere, is converted to up to a trillion Watts of electrical energy. A substantial part of this energy finds its way into our upper atmosphere, where it can dominate atmospheric dynamics and chemistry, and upon which it projects a vast and dynamic visible display in the form of the aurora. Also, solar-wind-driven "space weather" associated with this energy transfer can have a devastating impact on technological systems in orbit as well as on the ground, affecting power distribution, communications, navigation, and more. The purpose of this study is to characterize properties of auroral forms to be used as a test of auroral theories, using an array of next-generation satellite and ground-based instrumentation developed in Canada and poised to come on line in 2012. The European Space Agency's (ESA) three-satellite "Swarm" constellation will combine, for the first time, multi-point, precision measurements of both magnetic and electric fields. Swarm's Electric Field Instruments are based on a new technique developed at the University of Calgary and selected for flight by ESA in 2005. A related instrument built for the Canadian enhanced Polar Outflow Probe small satellite (also planned for launch in 2012) will probe electron flows associated with electrical currents in the aurora. The scientific value of these missions will be augmented significantly by an extensive array of ground-based cameras and radars deployed throughout the Canadian Arctic, including the power Resolute Bay Incoherent Scatter Radar (RISR-Canada) presently nearing completion. This proposal requests funds to involve students and post-doctoral researchers in order to realize the maximum impact in science and training of this unprecedented combination of state-of-the-art research tools.