GEM: Steady Magnetospheric Convection Events and Solar-Wind/Magnetosphere Coupling

该项目涉及对稳定磁层对流(SMC)事件的性质和原因进行数据分析和理论研究。SMC是地磁活动增加的延长间隔，不会发生亚暴。该项目的目的是(1)通过统计比较SMC与非SMC周期的特性来加深我们对SMC的理解；(2)通过使用SMC作为驱动SMC的特殊太阳风条件的探测器来加深我们对SMC的理解；(3)通过与亚暴传输相比，加深我们对爆发块流(BBF)如何传输磁通量、能量和动量的理解；以及(4)探索某些太阳风条件下SMC发生的新思路。

This project involves a data-analysis and theoretical investigation into the properties and causes of steady magnetospheric convection (SMC) events. SMCs are extended intervals of elevated geomagnetic activity without the occurrence of substorms. The objectives of this project are (1) to further our understanding of SMCs by statistically comparing their properties with the properties of non-SMC periods, (2) to further our understanding of solar-wind/magnetosphere coupling by using SMCs as a probe of the special solar wind conditions that drive SMCs, (3) to further our understanding of how bursty bulk flows (BBfs) transport magnetic flux, energy and momentum in comparison with substorm transport, and (4) to explore new ideas about why SMCs occur under certain solar wind conditions.