M-I Coupling: Geospace Environment Modeling (GEM) Investigation of Field-Aligned Ionospheric Plasma Transport at Polar Latitudes

这一拟议项目将利用先进的建模和观测分析相结合的方法，研究沿高纬度磁力线的磁层-电离层质量交换。动态流体动力学(DyFK)模型结合了120-1000公里区域的基于矩的流体处理和从800公里高度到几个地球半径的广义半动力学(GSK)处理。该项目将研究电离层离子沿高纬度磁力线流出(和回流)所涉及的F区、上部和下部磁层物理和化学过程的耦合。模拟研究的两个主要领域将是：(1)系统和详细地模拟O+/H+碰撞到无碰撞过渡区的动力学；(2)分子离子的产生、损失和输运的研究。来自Dynamic Explorer-2卫星、DMSP航天器和非相干散射雷达的观测数据将用于测量F区/顶部电离层参数，如场向流动、离子和电子温度以及密度。观测数据将与模拟结果进行比较，以检验模型的预测。该项目将支持研究生培训和博士后研究人员培训。此外，研究结果还将提高我们预测太空天气的能力，从而产生社会影响。

This proposed project will utilize a combination of advanced modeling and analysis of observations to investigate magnetosphere-ionosphere mass exchange along high-latitude magnetic field lines. The Dynamic Fluid-Kinetic (DyFK) model combines a moment-based fluid treatment for the 120-1000 km region with a Generalized SemiKinetic (GSK) treatment of the region from 800 km altitude out to several earth radii. The project will investigate the coupling of F-region, topside and lower magnetospheric physical and chemical processes involved in the outflow (and return downflow) of ionospheric ions along high-latitude magnetic field lines. Two of the primary areas of the simulation investigation will be: (1) The systematic and detailed simulation of the dynamics of the O+/H+ collisional-to-collisionless transition region, and (2) the investigation of molecular ion production, loss and transport. Observational data from the Dynamics Explorer-2 satellite, the DMSP spacecraft, and incoherent scatter radars will be used to measure F-region/topside ionospheric parameters such as field-aligned flows, ion and electron temperatures, and densities. The observational data will be compared with the simulations to test the model predictions. The project will support graduate student training and postdoctoral researcher training. In addition, the results will have a societal impact by advancing our ability to predict space weather.