Spatial Resolution in Inverse Problems: The EZIE Satellite Mission

Under embargo until: 2023-11-16Inverse modeling has become one of the primary methods for studying ionospheric electrodynamics, especially when using magnetic field measurements from below the ionosphere. We present a method for quantifying the spatial resolution in an inverse model for non-uniformly sampled spatial data. This method provides a tool for assessing if a model can resolve the physical phenomena of interest. We quantify the spatial resolution for the Spherical Elementary Current System basis functions to model the ionospheric dynamics. Our results apply to models with spatially confined model parameters, unlike spherical harmonics where the model parameters describe the amplitude of global surface functions. The method is demonstrated for the upcoming Electrojet Zeeman Imaging Explorer cubesat mission which will provide spatially distributed remote sensing measurements of the magnetic field in the mesosphere. We show that, including measurements from a single ground magnetometer can significantly improve the spatial resolution. However, the impact of including a ground magnetometer depends on the relative position of the station with respect to the mesospheric measurements. In addition, a method for reducing two regularization parameters to one is presented. Reducing the amount of regularization parameters simplifies the optimization problem and facilitates a fair comparison between the models with and without a ground magnetometer.publishedVersio

How Jupiter's Unusual Magnetospheric Topology Structures Its Aurora

Jupiter's bright persistent polar aurora and Earth's dark polar region indicate that the planets' magnetospheric topologies are very different. High-resolution global simulations show that the reconnection rate at the interface between the interplanetary and jovian magnetic fields is too slow to generate a magnetically open, Earth-like polar cap on the timescale of planetary rotation, resulting in only a small crescent-shaped region of magnetic flux interconnected with the interplanetary magnetic field. Most of the jovian polar cap is threaded by helical magnetic flux that closes within the planetary interior, extends into the outer magnetosphere and piles-up near its dawnside flank where fast differential plasma rotation pulls the field lines sunward. This unusual magnetic topology provides new insights into Jupiter's distinctive auroral morphology

Comparison of predictive estimates of high‐latitude electrodynamics with observations of global‐scale Birkeland currents

Two of the geomagnetic storms for the Space Weather Prediction Center Geospace Environment Modeling challenge occurred after data were first acquired by the Active Magnetosphere and Planetary Electrodynamics Response Experiment (AMPERE). We compare Birkeland currents from AMPERE with predictions from four models for the 4–5 April 2010 and 5–6 August 2011 storms. The four models are the Weimer (2005b) field‐aligned current statistical model, the Lyon‐Fedder‐Mobarry magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulation, the Open Global Geospace Circulation Model MHD simulation, and the Space Weather Modeling Framework MHD simulation. The MHD simulations were run as described in Pulkkinen et al. (2013) and the results obtained from the Community Coordinated Modeling Center. The total radial Birkeland current, ITotal, and the distribution of radial current density, Jr, for all models are compared with AMPERE results. While the total currents are well correlated, the quantitative agreement varies considerably. The Jr distributions reveal discrepancies between the models and observations related to the latitude distribution, morphologies, and lack of nightside current systems in the models. The results motivate enhancing the simulations first by increasing the simulation resolution and then by examining the relative merits of implementing more sophisticated ionospheric conductance models, including ionospheric outflows or other omitted physical processes. Some aspects of the system, including substorm timing and location, may remain challenging to simulate, implying a continuing need for real‐time specification.Key PointsPresents the first comparison between observed field‐aligned currents and models previously evaluated for space weather operational useThe model and observed integrated currents are well correlated, but the ratio between them ranges from 1/3 to 3The 2‐D current densities are weakly correlated with observations implying significant areas for improvements in the modelsPeer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/136469/1/swe20415_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/136469/2/swe20415.pd

Space Weather Modeling Capabilities Assessment: Auroral Precipitation and Highâ Latitude Ionospheric Electrodynamics

As part of its International Capabilities Assessment effort, the Community Coordinated Modeling Center initiated several working teams, one of which is focused on the validation of models and methods for determining auroral electrodynamic parameters, including particle precipitation, conductivities, electric fields, neutral density and winds, currents, Joule heating, auroral boundaries, and ion outflow. Auroral electrodynamic properties are needed as input to space weather models, to test and validate the accuracy of physical models, and to provide needed information for space weather customers and researchers. The working team developed a process for validating auroral electrodynamic quantities that begins with the selection of a set of events, followed by construction of ground truth databases using all available data and assimilative data analysis techniques. Using optimized, predefined metrics, the ground truth data for selected events can be used to assess model performance and improvement over time. The availability of global observations and sophisticated data assimilation techniques provides the means to create accurate ground truth databases routinely and accurately.Key PointsA working team has been established to develop a process for validation of auroral precipitation and electrodynamics modelsValidation of auroral electrodynamic parameters requires generation of ground truth data sets for selected eventsCurrent observations and data assimilation techniques continue to improve the accuracy of global auroral electrodynamic specificationPeer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/148365/1/swe20815_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/148365/2/swe20815.pd

Spatial resolution in inverse problems:the EZIE satellite mission

Abstract Inverse modeling has become one of the primary methods for studying ionospheric electrodynamics, especially when using magnetic field measurements from below the ionosphere. We present a method for quantifying the spatial resolution in an inverse model for non-uniformly sampled spatial data. This method provides a tool for assessing if a model can resolve the physical phenomena of interest. We quantify the spatial resolution for the Spherical Elementary Current System basis functions to model the ionospheric dynamics. Our results apply to models with spatially confined model parameters, unlike spherical harmonics where the model parameters describe the amplitude of global surface functions. The method is demonstrated for the upcoming Electrojet Zeeman Imaging Explorer cubesat mission which will provide spatially distributed remote sensing measurements of the magnetic field in the mesosphere. We show that, including measurements from a single ground magnetometer can significantly improve the spatial resolution. However, the impact of including a ground magnetometer depends on the relative position of the station with respect to the mesospheric measurements. In addition, a method for reducing two regularization parameters to one is presented. Reducing the amount of regularization parameters simplifies the optimization problem and facilitates a fair comparison between the models with and without a ground magnetometer

Explosive Magnetotail Activity

Modes and manifestations of the explosive activity in the Earth's magnetotail, as well as its onset mechanisms and key pre-onset conditions are reviewed. Two mechanisms for the generation of the pre-onset current sheet are discussed, namely magnetic flux addition to the tail lobes, or other high-latitude perturbations, and magnetic flux evacuation from the near-Earth tail associated with dayside reconnection. Reconnection onset may require stretching and thinning of the sheet down to electron scales. It may also start in thicker sheets in regions with a tailward gradient of the equatorial magnetic field Bz; in this case it begins as an ideal-MHD instability followed by the generation of bursty bulk flows and dipolarization fronts. Indeed, remote sensing and global MHD modeling show the formation of tail regions with increased Bz, prone to magnetic reconnection, ballooning/interchange and flapping instabilities. While interchange instability may also develop in such thicker sheets, it may grow more slowly compared to tearing and cause secondary reconnection locally in the dawn-dusk direction. Post-onset transients include bursty flows and dipolarization fronts, micro-instabilities of lower-hybrid-drift and whistler waves, as well as damped global flux tube oscillations in the near-Earth region. They convert the stretched tail magnetic field energy into bulk plasma acceleration and collisionless heating, excitation of a broad spectrum of plasma waves, and collisional dissipation in the ionosphere. Collisionless heating involves ion reflection from fronts, Fermi, betatron as well as other, non-adiabatic, mechanisms. Ionospheric manifestations of some of these magnetotail phenomena are discussed. Explosive plasma phenomena observed in the laboratory, the solar corona and solar wind are also discussed

Geospace Concussion: Global Reversal of Ionospheric Vertical Plasma Drift in Response to a Sudden Commencement

An interplanetary shock can abruptly compress the magnetosphere, excite magnetospheric waves and field-aligned currents, and cause a ground magnetic response known as a sudden commencement (SC). However, the transient (<∼1 min) response of the ionosphere-thermosphere system during an SC has been little studied due to limited temporal resolution in previous investigations. Here, we report observations of a global reversal of ionospheric vertical plasma motion during an SC on 24 October 2011 using ∼6 s resolution Super Dual Auroral Radar Network ground scatter data. The dayside ionosphere suddenly moved downward during the magnetospheric compression due to the SC, lasting for only ∼1 min before moving upward. By contrast, the post-midnight ionosphere briefly moved upward then moved downward during the SC. Simulations with a coupled geospace model suggest that the reversed E⃗×B⃗ vertical drift is caused by a global reversal of ionospheric zonal electric field induced by magnetospheric compression during the SC