Collaborative Research: Continued Study of Ultra Low Frequency (ULF) Waves at Cusp Latitudes on Svalbard to Probe Earth's Space Environment

在挪威的斯瓦尔巴群岛上安装了大量的地面仪器。斯瓦尔巴群岛经常位于地球磁层外边界的极尖场线上，在那里它与太阳风和行星际磁场（IMF）相互作用。本提案分为两部分：一部分是支持四个搜索线圈磁力计（感应天线）阵列的持续运行和处理数据。第二部分是对这四种仪器的数据进行分析。斯瓦尔巴群岛是北半球唯一一个可以在正午的黑暗中长时间观察到极地尖端磁场线的地方。除了四个搜索线圈磁力计、极光成像仪和光度计之外，还有几个雷达（EISCAT、SPEAR和super可恶）和IMAGE链最北端的磁通门磁力计位于斯瓦尔巴群岛。这使得斯瓦尔巴群岛成为观测电离层现象的绝佳地点，观测电离层现象的磁力线可以映射到磁层顶。使用搜索线圈和其他仪器数据的研究主要有三种类型：集中精力了解pc1 -2波在尖端的观测及其对辐射带动力学的影响。在pc1 -2频率范围内，电磁离子回旋波（EMIC）被认为与辐射带中的MeV电子发生共振相互作用。波和辐射带动力学以及波的持续性（有时持续数天）以及与极光降水相关的波将被研究。b。)利用有源雷达空间等离子体探测（SPEAR）加热装置与EISCAT雷达联合探测电离层alvsamn谐振器（IAR）。IAR是电离层中的一个区域，在较低的高度由F或E区域所包围，在较高的高度由阿尔夫萨蒙速度峰值所包围。本研究将表征IAR的质量因子(Q)。质量因数是指谐振器中储存的能量和耗散的能量。如果IAR被驱动的时间足够长，谐振器中包含的能量将与q成正比。通过控制SPEAR加热器的输入能量，他们将能够确定q。研究PC3-4波在高纬度地区的特性。在这项研究中，超级雷达将与搜索线圈一起使用，以确定pc3 -4的强度作为相对于尖端位置的函数。目标是确定这些超高频波是如何到达高纬度电离层的。这四台近距离空间磁力计的数据对许多空间物理研究非常有价值。该团队将通过NASA虚拟天文台向科学界提供数据。该提案将支持新罕布什尔大学的一名研究生和奥格斯堡学院的一名本科生研究员。

A large array of ground based instruments has been installed on the Svalbard archipelago in Norway. Svalbard is frequently on polar cusp field lines that map to the outer boundary of the Earth's magnetosphere where it interacts with the solar wind and interplanetary magnetic field (IMF). This proposal has two parts: One part is for support for the continued operation of and processing data from an array of four search coil magnetometers (induction antennas). The second part is to carry out analysis of data from these four instruments. Svalbard is the only place in the northern hemisphere where polar cusp field lines can be observed for extended periods in darkness at noon. In addition to the four search coil magnetometers auroral imagers and photometers, several radars (EISCAT, SPEAR and SuperDarn) and the northernmost fluxgate magnetometers of the IMAGE chain are located on Svalbard. This makes Svalbard an excellent place to carry out observations of ionospheric phenomena on magnetic field lines that map to the magnetopause. Three main types of studies using the data from the search coils and other instruments are:a.) Make a concentrated effort to understand the observations of Pc 1-2 waves in the cusp and their effect on radiation belt dynamics. In the Pc 1-2 frequency range electromagnetic ion cyclotron waves (EMIC) are thought to interact resonantly with MeV electrons in the radiation belts. The waves and radiation belt dynamics and the persistence of waves (sometimes seen for days) will be studied as well as waves associated with auroral precipitation. b.) Probe the Ionosphere Alfvén Resonator (IAR) by using the Space Plasma Exploration by Active Radar (SPEAR) heater facility in conjunction with the EISCAT radar. The IAR is a region in the ionosphere bounded by the F or E region at lower altitudes and by a peak in the Alfvén velocity at higher altitudes. This research will characterize the quality factor (Q) of the IAR. The quality factor relates the energy stored in the resonator with the energy dissipated. If the IAR is driven long enough the energy contained in the resonator will be proportional to Q. By controlling the input energy from the SPEAR heater they will be able to determine Q. c.) Investigate the properties of PC3-4 waves at very high latitudes. In this study SuperDARN radar will be used along with the search coils to determine the intensity of PC 3-4 as a function of position with respect to the cusp. The goal will be to determine how these ULF waves reach the high latitude ionosphere. The data from the four closely space magnetometers are very valuable for a number of space physics studies. The team will make the data available to the scientific community through the NASA Virtual Observatories. This proposal will support a graduate student at the University of New Hampshire and an undergraduate researcher at Augsburg College.