Electrodynamics of the solar wind-magnetosphere-ionosphere-atmosphere coupled system

该项目将研究地球极光的形成和变化，以了解磁层的结构和动力学，以及等离子体加速过程。该项目的一个重点将是影响磁层-电离层耦合的电流系统，并确定它们在更大的太阳风-磁层-电离层-大气系统中的作用。最初的研究将集中在向北行星际磁场方向下的磁层，当时对磁层的结构和高纬度地区极光发射的外观知之甚少。将使用的数据集包括主动磁层和行星电动力学响应实验（AMPERE）、星载极光照相机和等离子体漂移仪器、行星际介质监测仪以及其他空间和地面观测站。

This project will study the formation and variability of the terrestrial auroras to understand the structure and dynamics of the magnetosphere, and plasma acceleration processes. A focus of the project will be the electrical currents systems that effect magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling, and determining their role in the larger solar wind-magnetosphere-ionosphere-atmosphere system. Initially the study will focus on the magnetosphere under northwards interplanetary magnetic field orientation, when the structure of the magnetosphere and the appearance of auroral emissions at very high latitudes is poorly understood. Data sets that will be employed include the Active Magnetosphere and Planetary Electrodynamics Response Experiment (AMPERE), space-borne auroral cameras and plasma drift instruments, monitors in the interplanetary medium, and other space and ground based observatories.