CAREER: 3-D Global Full Maxwell's Equations Modeling of the Effects of a Coronal Mass Ejection on the Earth

该项目将开发电离层电磁电流产生的电磁场的全球数值模型，其研究目标是能够更好地预测空间天气对电网的影响。该方法涉及全球地球-电离层系统中电磁波传播的全矢量三维含时麦克斯韦方程的FDTD计算解。特别是，将在高空间分辨率下对地球表面上方400公里至下方400公里之间的大气-岩石圈体积进行前所未有的详细研究。这项研究将利用活动磁层和行星电动力学响应实验数据，并通过与电力研究所日暴监测网络项目建立合作，在这一领域以往和目前工作的基础上开展研究。该模型将模拟由于日冕物质抛射而产生的电离层电流的影响，以提高我们对所产生的电动力学的理解。新计算的FDTD解决方案的高空间分辨率将为评估和减轻内陆和沿海电网和输油管道作业特有的潜在危险提供更好的信息。其中一个教育目标是在新墨西哥大学开发一系列三门计算电磁学课程。第二个目标是在新墨西哥大学发起和建立一个住宿学院系统。

This project will develop a global numerical model of the electromagnetic fields produced by ionospheric electromagnetic currents with the research goal of enabling better prediction of the impact of space weather on the electric power grid. The methodology involves finite-difference time domain (FDTD) computational solutions of the full-vector three-dimensional time-dependent Maxwell's equations for electromagnetic wave propagation within the global Earth-ionosphere system. In particular, the atmosphere-lithosphere volume between 400 km above the Earth's surface to 400 km below will be studied in unprecedented detail at high spatial resolutions. The research will build on previous and current work in this area by using Active Magnetosphere and Planetary Electrodynamics Response Experiment (AMPERE) data and by establishing collaborations with the Electric Power Research Institute SUNBURST monitoring network project. The model will simulate the effects of ionospheric currents that develop as the result of coronal mass ejections in order to improve our understanding of the resultant electrodynamics. The fine spatial resolution of the newly computed FDTD solutions will provide improved information for assessing and mitigating potential hazards specific to the operations of inland and coastal power grids and oil pipelines. One education goal is to develop a sequence of three computational electromagnetic courses at the University of New Mexico. A second goal is to initiate and establish a Residential College system at the University of New Mexico.