GEM: Simulation Studies of Plasma Redistribution in the Ionosphere and Plasma Supply to the Magnetosphere in Geomagnetic Active Periods

这个项目的重点是研究大气上层结构的变化如何导致等离子体流入外层空间的变化。在重要的空间天气期间，高层大气中等离子体的循环可能发生巨大变化，导致极帽上方的高密度区域流动，从而导致等离子体沿着磁力线向外空间流出。这些变化会影响通过电离层的无线电通信，并可能导致卫星导航系统得出的位置出现重大误差。研究人员将通过发展数值模型来解决这一重要问题。该模型将能够解决外流等离子体与这些密度增强之间的关系。成功地模拟这些相互作用可能会改进预测空间天气的数值模式。此外，这项调查将支持培训研究生在计算机编程和数据分析技术。本次研究的一个主要重点将是模拟研究与风暴增强密度（SED）相关的等离子体再分布及其可能对应的等离子体羽流、极帽舌和斑块，以及在地磁活跃时期与这种等离子体再分布相关的增强离子流出。提出的研究目标是扩展动态流体动力学（DyFK）模型，以同时跟踪多个漂移的单个通量管来模拟全球等离子体输运；定量理解导致等离子体再分布和离子流出的物理过程；为了解电离层等离子体供给对磁层动力学的影响提供必要的多组分离子流出通量的定量测量。

This project is focused on investigating how changes in the structure of the upper levels of the atmosphere can lead to changes in the plasma flowing out into the outer space. During periods of significant space weather the circulation of plasma in the upper atmosphere can be dramatically changed, resulting in high density regions flowing over the polar cap that can lead to enhanced outflow of plasma flowing out along magnetic field lines into outer space. These changes can impact radio communications through the ionosphere and may cause significant errors in positions derived from satellite based navigation systems. The investigators will address this important topic through the development of a numerical model. This model will be able to address how the outflow plasma relates to these density enhancements. Success in modeling these interactions could potentially lead to improved numerical models for forecasting space weather. In addition, this investigation will support training of a graduate student in computer programming and data analysis techniques. A major focus of this investigation will be simulation studies of plasma redistribution associated with the storm enhanced density (SED) and its possible counterpart plasmaspheric plume, polar cap tongues and patches, and enhanced ion outflow associated with such plasma redistribution during geomagnetic active times. The objective of the proposed studies is to expand the Dynamic Fluid Kinetic (DyFK) model to simultaneously follow multiple drifting individual flux tubes for simulating global plasma transport; to quantitatively understand physical processes that cause plasma redistribution and ion outflow; to provide quantitative measure of global ion outflow fluxes of multiple species necessary to understand effects of ionospheric plasma supply on the magnetospheric dynamics.