DOCSLIB.ORG

Probing Magma Reservoirs Sudden Stratospheric Warmings Two

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

VOL. 99 NO. 6 JUNE 2018 Probing Magma Reservoirs Sudden Stratospheric Warmings Earth & Space Science News Two-Career Chaos Virtual Poster Showcase Serving as a faculty or advisor to students doing eld or lab-based research this summer? Consider adding the Fall Virtual Poster Showcase to the experience. Abstract submissions open 3 July 2018 Students need to take only these three simple steps to gain valuable experience presenting their research. • Submit an abstract • Upload a poster and accompanying video presentation • Evaluate the posters of peers and receive feedback on their own poster Learn more about the biannual showcases: virtualposter.agu.org Earth & Space Science News Contents JUNE 2018 PROJECT UPDATE VOLUME 99, ISSUE 6 16 Probing Magma Reservoirs to Improve Volcano Forecasts The roots of volcanoes remain enigmatic, largely because geophysical and petrological models remain rudimentary. Scientific drilling and exploration can help. PROJECT UPDATE 28 The Amazon River’s Ecosystem: Where Land Meets the Sea What happens to plant matter on its journey down the Amazon River to the Atlantic Ocean? One research group investigated the region where river and ocean meet to fill in this part of the story. 22 PROJECT UPDATE COVER How Sudden 34 Stratospheric Warmings Affect the Whole Atmosphere Satellites and Cell Phones High above Earth’s surface, air temperatures occasionally increase Form a Cholera Early-Warning System suddenly, producing widespread A new initiative combines satellite data with ground observations to assess and predict effects on weather, air chemistry, and the risk of cholera outbreaks in Bangladesh’s vulnerable populations. telecommunications. Earth & Space Science News Eos.org // 1 Contents DEPARTMENTS Editor in Chief Barbara T. Richman: AGU, Washington, D. C., USA; eos_ [email protected] Editors Christina M. S. Cohen Wendy S. Gordon Carol A. Stein California Institute Ecologia Consulting, Department of Earth and of Technology, Pasadena, Austin, Texas, USA; Environmental Sciences, Calif., USA; wendy@ecologiaconsulting University of Illinois at cohen@srl .caltech.edu .com Chicago, Chicago, Ill., José D. Fuentes David Halpern USA; [email protected] Department of Meteorology, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pennsylvania State Pasadena, Calif., USA; University, University davidhalpern29@gmail Park, Pa., USA; .com [email protected] Editorial Advisory Board Mark G. Flanner, Atmospheric Sciences John W. Lane, Near-Surface Geophysics Nicola J. Fox, Space Physics Jian Lin, Tectonophysics and Aeronomy Figen Mekik, Paleoceanography Peter Fox, Earth and Space Science and Paleoclimatology Informatics Jerry L. Miller, Ocean Sciences Steve Frolking, Biogeosciences Thomas H. Painter, Cryosphere Sciences Edward J. Garnero, Study of the Philip J. Rasch, Global Environmental Earth’s Deep Interior Change Michael N. Gooseff, Hydrology Eric M. Riggs, Education 39 Brian C. Gunter, Geodesy Adrian Tuck, Nonlinear Geophysics Kristine C. Harper, History of Geophysics Sergio Vinciguerra, Mineral Sarah M. Hörst, Planetary Sciences and Rock Physics Susan E. Hough, Natural Hazards Andrew C. Wilcox, Earth and Planetary 3–9 News 40–44 Research Spotlight Emily R. Johnson, Volcanology, Surface Processes An Aurora of An Improved Understanding Geochemistry, and Petrology Earle Williams, Atmospheric Keith D. Koper, Seismology and Space Electricity a Different of How Rift Margins Evolve; Robert E. Kopp, Geomagnetism Mary Lou Zoback, Societal Impacts Color; Oil Spill Visualizing One of the Most and Paleomagnetism and Policy Sciences Response Hazardous Formations in Nature; Staff Knowledge Prairies, Potholes, and Public Production and Design: Faith A. Ishii, Production Manager; Melissa A. Tribur, Senior Grows, but New Policy; Widespread Mantle Production Specialist; Beth Bagley, Manager, Design and Branding; Travis Frazier and 8 Valerie Friedman, Senior Graphic Designers Risks Emerge; Upwelling Beneath Oceanic Editorial: Peter L. Weiss, Manager/Senior News Editor; Mohi Kumar, Scientific Former NASA Transform Faults; Sea Ice Loss Content Editor; Randy Showstack, Senior News Writer; Liz Castenson, Editorial Administrator Weighs In on New Suppresses Some Effects of Climate and Production Coordinator; Kimberly M. S. Cartier, News Writer and Production Space Agency Head; Playing Their Change; A Quantitative Look at Associate Way into the Geosciences; Honoring the United Nations’ Global Vision Marketing: Jamie R. Liu, Manager, Marketing; Angelo Bouselli and Taryn Hudson, Marketing Program Managers; Ashwini Yelamanchili, Digital Marketing Coordinator Earth and Space Scientists. for 2030; Moon’s Magnetic Field Advertising: Dan Nicholas, Display Advertising, Email: [email protected]; May Magnetize Iron That Hits Heather Cain, Recruitment Advertising, Email: [email protected] Its Surface; Major Uncertainty in 10–11 Meeting Reports ©2018. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved. Material in this issue may Estimates of Carbon Trapped in Soil. be photocopied by individual scientists for research or classroom use. Permission is Reconstructing Environment and also granted to use short quotes, figures, and tables for publication in scientific books Climate from Coral Archives; Winter 45–48 Positions Available and journals. For permission for any other uses, contact the AGU Publications Office. Conditions Are Changing Rapidly in Eos (ISSN 0096-3941) is published monthly by the American Geophysical Union, Current job openings in the Earth 2000 Florida Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20009, USA. Periodical Class postage paid Alpine Lake Ecosystems. at Washington, D. C., and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address and space sciences. changes to Member Service Center, 2000 Florida Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20009, 12 Opinion USA. Inside Back Cover: Member Service Center: 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. Eastern time; Tel: +1-202-462-6900; Fax: Two-​­Career Chaos: A Look in the +1-202-328-0566; Tel. orders in U.S.: 1-800-966-2481; Email: [email protected]. Postcards from the Field Use AGU’s Geophysical Electronic Manuscript Submissions system to submit a Rearview Mirror. manuscript: http://eos-submit.agu.org. Researchers avoid mosquitoes Views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect official positions of the 14–15 GeoFIZZ and process peatland cores in the American Geophysical Union unless expressly stated. Swedish Arctic. Christine W. McEntee, Executive Director/CEO Ten Everyday Objects That Can Be Used for Science. On the Cover 39 AGU News A woman in Bangladesh’s Jamalpur district pumps water in a flooded Virtual Mentoring Rewards field. Credit: Mushfiqul Alam/ Scientists at All Career Stages. NurPhoto/ Getty Images. AmericanGeophysicalUnion @AGU_Eos company/american-geophysical-union AGUvideos americangeophysicalunion americangeophysicalunion 2 // Eos June 2018 NEWS An Aurora of a Different Color Krista Trinder rare aurora-like event, pictured here, forums. They called the phenomenon “Steve” ordinary auroras. That’s why STEVEs occur at paints a green and purple streak across simply for fun within their own group. In lower latitudes than auroras. A the sky, from bottom left to top right. 2016, they shared their collection of Steve In addition, the scientists were excited to Called a Strong Thermal Emission Velocity photos with the scientists running the Auro- discover that STEVEs are the visual counterpart Enhancement (STEVE), this display is criss- rasaurus citizen science project, which tracks to subauroral ion drift (SAID), a phenomenon crossed by the dusty band of the Milky Way, auroras through tweets and individual reports. studied since the 1970s. Finding out that SAID which curves from top left to bottom right. The scientists eventually specially crafted the can have an accompanying visible feature sug- A STEVE, captured, in this instance, last acronym STEVE to give a nod to the original gests that there may be more going on in the year at Childs Lake in Manitoba in Canada, is name and its creators. subauroral zone of the atmosphere than scien- not an aurora in the traditional sense: Instead New insight into the origin and behavior of tists had thought, according to the scientific of the oval-shaped, blue or green glow of more this rare atmospheric event became possible paper on this discovery, which the team pub- common types of auroras, a STEVE appears as when, in 2016, a team of amateur and profes- lished in Science Advances on 14 March (http:// a thin, purple streak dangling a wavy, green sional scientists used ground- and space- bit.ly/sci-advcs-steve). picket fence–like structure. STEVEs always based cameras to image a STEVE and a simul- The team is working with NASA on an ongo- appear at the same time as normal auroras, taneous normal aurora. By combining all of ing campaign to collect more professional and but they occur at lower latitudes, in an area of the available images, the team discovered that amateur photos of STEVEs, hoping to better the atmosphere called the subauroral zone. STEVEs and auroras form from a similar pro- understand these rare lights in the sky. cess—charged particles interacting with Getting to Know STEVE Earth’s magnetic field—but the particles that In recent years, citizen scientists cataloged create STEVEs travel along magnetic field lines By Kimberly M. S. Cartier (@AstroKimCartier), dozens of STEVEs and shared them in online much closer to Earth than those that make up Staff Writer Earth & Space Science News Eos.org // 3 NEWS been edited for length and clarity.) She dis- Oil Spill Response Knowledge cussed
Recommended publications
  • Global Ionosphere-Thermosphere-Mesosphere (ITM) Mapping Across Temporal and Spatial Scales a White Paper for the NRC Decadal

    Global Ionosphere-Thermosphere-Mesosphere (ITM) Mapping Across Temporal and Spatial Scales a White Paper for the NRC Decadal

    Global Ionosphere-Thermosphere-Mesosphere (ITM) Mapping Across Temporal and Spatial Scales A White Paper for the NRC Decadal Survey of Solar and Space Physics Andrew Stephan, Scott Budzien, Ken Dymond, and Damien Chua NRL Space Science Division Overview In order to fulfill the pressing need for accurate near-Earth space weather forecasts, it is essential that future measurements include both temporal and spatial aspects of the evolution of the ionosphere and thermosphere. A combination of high altitude global images and low Earth orbit altitude profiles from simple, in-the-medium sensors is an optimal scenario for creating continuous, routine space weather maps for both scientific and operational interests. The method presented here adapts the vast knowledge gained using ultraviolet airglow into a suggestion for a next-generation, near-Earth space weather mapping network. Why the Ionosphere, Thermosphere, and Mesosphere? The ionosphere-thermosphere-mesosphere (ITM) region of the terrestrial atmosphere is a complex and dynamic environment influenced by solar radiation, energy transfer, winds, waves, tides, electric and magnetic fields, and plasma processes. Recent measurements showing how coupling to other regions also influences dynamics in the ITM [e.g. Immel et al., 2006; Luhr, et al, 2007; Hagan et al., 2007] has exposed the need for a full, three- dimensional characterization of this region. Yet the true level of complexity in the ITM system remains undiscovered primarily because the fundamental components of this region are undersampled on the temporal and spatial scales that are necessary to expose these details. The solar and space physics research community has been driven over the past decade toward answering scientific questions that have a high level of practical application and relevance.
  • Marina Galand

    Marina Galand

    Thermosphere - Ionosphere - Magnetosphere Coupling! Canada M. Galand (1), I.C.F. Müller-Wodarg (1), L. Moore (2), M. Mendillo (2), S. Miller (3) , L.C. Ray (1) (1) Department of Physics, Imperial College London, London, U.K. (2) Center for Space Physics, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA (3) Department of Physics and Astronomy, University College London, U.K. 1." Energy crisis at giant planets Credit: NASA/JPL/Space Science Institute 2." TIM coupling Cassini/ISS (false color) 3." Modeling of IT system 4." Comparison with observaons Cassini/UVIS 5." Outstanding quesAons (Pryor et al., 2011) SATURN JUPITER (Gladstone et al., 2007) Cassini/UVIS [UVIS team] Cassini/VIMS (IR) Credit: J. Clarke (BU), NASA [VIMS team/JPL, NASA, ESA] 1. SETTING THE SCENE: THE ENERGY CRISIS AT THE GIANT PLANETS THERMAL PROFILE Exosphere (EARTH) Texo 500 km Key transiLon region Thermosphere between the space environment and the lower atmosphere Ionosphere 85 km Mesosphere 50 km Stratosphere ~ 15 km Troposphere SOLAR ENERGY DEPOSITION IN THE UPPER ATMOSPHERE Solar photons ion, e- Neutral Suprathermal electrons B ion, e- Thermal e- Ionospheric Thermosphere Ne, Nion e- heang Te P, H * + Airglow Neutral atmospheric Exothermic reacAons heang IS THE SUN THE MAIN ENERGY SOURCE OF PLANERATY THERMOSPHERES? W Main energy source: UV solar radiaon Main energy source? EartH Outer planets CO2 atmospHeres Exospheric temperature (K) [aer Mendillo et al., 2002] ENERGY CRISIS AT THE GIANT PLANETS Observed values at low to mid-latudes solsce equinox Modeled values (Sun only) [Aer
  • Thermosphere? Why Is It So Hot? Atmosphere Model and Thermosphere 5

    Thermosphere? Why Is It So Hot? Atmosphere Model and Thermosphere 5

    UNIT 6, LESSON 1: EARTH LAYERS & ATMOSPHERE LET’S BUILD OUR EARTH AND THE ATMOSPHERE 1 & 2 Where is earth’s crust? What is the difference between the 1. Read/annotate the oceanic and continental crust? paragraph(s) Crust and Mantle Where is the earth’s mantle? What is a plate? What part of the 2. Answer the questions mantle is below the plates? that go with the 3 Where is the earth’s core? How is the core similar to the mantle? paragraph(s) Core 4 & 5 Where is the troposphere? What are you likely to find there? Name at least 3 things. 3. Show Mrs. Stoddard Troposphere and Stratosphere your answers Where is the stratosphere? Why would the air be warm in the 4. If you get it correct, get stratosphere? Where is the mesosphere? Why do meteors burn in this layer? a piece of your 6 & 7 Mesosphere Where is the thermosphere? Why is it so hot? atmosphere model And Thermosphere 5. Repeat until your 8 Where is the exosphere? Why do some experts ignore the exosphere and think the thermosphere is the outermost layer of Exosphere model is finished! the earth’s atmosphere? CHECK YOUR MODEL! Exosphere Thermosphere Mesosphere Stratosphere Troposphere Core Name Class Period Mantle Crust HOW DID WE DO ON THE ATMOSPHERE MODEL? LET’S SET UP OUR JOURNALS! Earth’s Layers and Atmosphere 1:301:291:281:271:261:251:241:231:221:211:201:191:181:171:161:151:141:131:121:111:101:091:081:071:061:051:041:031:021:011:000:590:580:570:560:550:540:530:520:510:500:490:480:470:460:450:440:430:420:410:400:390:380:370:360:350:340:330:320:310:300:290:280:270:260:250:240:230:220:210:200:190:180:170:160:150:140:130:120:110:100:090:080:070:060:050:040:030:020:01End
  • Astrobiology in Low Earth Orbit

    Astrobiology in Low Earth Orbit

    The O/OREOS Mission – Astrobiology in Low Earth Orbit P. Ehrenfreund1, A.J. Ricco2, D. Squires2, C. Kitts3, E. Agasid2, N. Bramall2, K. Bryson4, J. Chittenden2, C. Conley5, A. Cook2, R. Mancinelli4, A. Mattioda2, W. Nicholson6, R. Quinn7, O. Santos2, G. Tahu5, M. Voytek5, C. Beasley2, L. Bica3, M. Diaz-Aguado2, C. Friedericks2, M. Henschke2, J.W. Hines2, D. Landis8, E. Luzzi2, D. Ly2, N. Mai2, G. Minelli2, M. McIntyre2, M. Neumann3, M. Parra2, M. Piccini2, R. Rasay3, R. Ricks2, A. Schooley2, E. Stackpole2, L. Timucin2, B. Yost2, A. Young3 1Space Policy Institute, Washington, DC, USA [email protected], 2NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, USA, 3Robotic Systems Laboratory, Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, CA, USA, 4Bay Area Environmental Research Institute, Sonoma, CA, USA, 5NASA Headquarters, Washington DC, USA, 6University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA, 7SETI Institute, Mountain View, CA, USA, 8Draper Laboratory, Cambridge, MA, USA Abstract. The O/OREOS (Organism/Organic Exposure to Orbital Stresses) nanosatellite is the first science demonstration spacecraft and flight mission of the NASA Astrobiology Small- Payloads Program (ASP). O/OREOS was launched successfully on November 19, 2010, to a high-inclination (72°), 650-km Earth orbit aboard a US Air Force Minotaur IV rocket from Kodiak, Alaska. O/OREOS consists of 3 conjoined cubesat (each 1000 cm3) modules: (i) a control bus, (ii) the Space Environment Survivability of Living Organisms (SESLO) experiment, and (iii) the Space Environment Viability of Organics (SEVO) experiment. Among the innovative aspects of the O/OREOS mission are a real-time analysis of the photostability of organics and biomarkers and the collection of data on the survival and metabolic activity for micro-organisms at 3 times during the 6-month mission.
  • The O/OREOS Mission—Astrobiology in Low Earth Orbit

    The O/OREOS Mission—Astrobiology in Low Earth Orbit

    Acta Astronautica 93 (2014) 501–508 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Acta Astronautica journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/actaastro The O/OREOS mission—Astrobiology in low Earth orbit P. Ehrenfreund a,n, A.J. Ricco b, D. Squires b, C. Kitts c, E. Agasid b, N. Bramall b, K. Bryson d, J. Chittenden b, C. Conley e, A. Cook b, R. Mancinelli d, A. Mattioda b, W. Nicholson f, R. Quinn g, O. Santos b,G.Tahue,M.Voyteke, C. Beasley b,L.Bicac, M. Diaz-Aguado b, C. Friedericks b,M.Henschkeb,D.Landish, E. Luzzi b,D.Lyb, N. Mai b, G. Minelli b,M.McIntyreb,M.Neumannc, M. Parra b, M. Piccini b, R. Rasay c,R.Ricksb, A. Schooley b, E. Stackpole b, L. Timucin b,B.Yostb, A. Young c a Space Policy Institute, Washington DC, USA b NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, USA c Robotic Systems Laboratory, Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, CA, USA d Bay Area Environmental Research Institute, Sonoma, CA, USA e NASA Headquarters, Washington DC, USA f University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA g SETI Institute, Mountain View, CA, USA h Draper Laboratory, Cambridge, MA, USA article info abstract Article history: The O/OREOS (Organism/Organic Exposure to Orbital Stresses) nanosatellite is the first Received 19 December 2011 science demonstration spacecraft and flight mission of the NASA Astrobiology Small- Received in revised form Payloads Program (ASP). O/OREOS was launched successfully on November 19, 2010, to 22 June 2012 a high-inclination (721), 650-km Earth orbit aboard a US Air Force Minotaur IV rocket Accepted 18 September 2012 from Kodiak, Alaska.
  • Diffuse Electron Precipitation in Magnetosphere-Ionosphere- Thermosphere Coupling

    Diffuse Electron Precipitation in Magnetosphere-Ionosphere- Thermosphere Coupling

    EGU21-6342 https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu21-6342 EGU General Assembly 2021 © Author(s) 2021. This work is distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. Diffuse electron precipitation in magnetosphere-ionosphere- thermosphere coupling Dong Lin1, Wenbin Wang1, Viacheslav Merkin2, Kevin Pham1, Shanshan Bao3, Kareem Sorathia2, Frank Toffoletto3, Xueling Shi1,4, Oppenheim Meers5, George Khazanov6, Adam Michael2, John Lyon7, Jeffrey Garretson2, and Brian Anderson2 1High Altitude Observatory, National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder CO, United States of America 2Applied Physics Laboratory, Johns Hopkins University, Laurel MD, USA 3Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rice University, Houston TX, USA 4Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg VA, USA 5Astronomy Department, Boston University, Boston MA, USA 6Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA, Greenbelt MD, USA 7Department of Physics and Astronomy, Dartmouth College, Hanover NH, USA Auroral precipitation plays an important role in magnetosphere-ionosphere-thermosphere (MIT) coupling by enhancing ionospheric ionization and conductivity at high latitudes. Diffuse electron precipitation refers to scattered electrons from the plasma sheet that are lost in the ionosphere. Diffuse precipitation makes the largest contribution to the total precipitation energy flux and is expected to have substantial impacts on the ionospheric conductance and affect the electrodynamic coupling between the magnetosphere and ionosphere-thermosphere.
  • A Breath of Fresh Air: Air-Scooping Electric Propulsion in Very Low Earth Orbit

    A Breath of Fresh Air: Air-Scooping Electric Propulsion in Very Low Earth Orbit

    A BREATH OF FRESH AIR: AIR-SCOOPING ELECTRIC PROPULSION IN VERY LOW EARTH ORBIT Rostislav Spektor and Karen L. Jones Air-scooping electric propulsion (ASEP) is a game-changing concept that extends the lifetime of very low Earth orbit (VLEO) satellites by providing periodic reboosting to maintain orbital altitudes. The ASEP concept consists of a solar array-powered space vehicle augmented with electric propulsion (EP) while utilizing ambient air as a propellant. First proposed in the 1960s, ASEP has attracted increased interest and research funding during the past decade. ASEP technology is designed to maintain lower orbital altitudes, which could reduce latency for a communication satellite or increase resolution for a remote sensing satellite. Furthermore, an ASEP space vehicle that stores excess gas in its fuel tank can serve as a reusable space tug, reducing the need for high-power chemical boosters that directly insert satellites into their final orbit. Air-breathing propulsion can only work within a narrow range of operational altitudes, where air molecules exist in sufficient abundance to provide propellant for the thruster but where the density of these molecules does not cause excessive drag on the vehicle. Technical hurdles remain, such as how to optimize the air-scoop design and electric propulsion system. Also, the corrosive VLEO atmosphere poses unique challenges for material durability. Despite these difficulties, both commercial and government researchers are making progress. Although ASEP technology is still immature, it is on the cusp of transitioning between research and development and demonstration phases. This paper describes the technical challenges, innovation leaders, and potential market evolution as satellite operators seek ways to improve performance and endurance.
  • The Marshall Engineering Thermosphere (MET) Model Volume H Technical Description

    The Marshall Engineering Thermosphere (MET) Model Volume H Technical Description

    NASA / CR--1998-207946 The Marshall Engineering Thermosphere (MET) Model Volume h Technical Description R.E. Smith Physitron, Inc., Huntsville, Alabama Prepared for Marshall Space Flight Center under Contract NAS8-38333 National Aeronautics and Space Administration Marshall Space Flight Center May 1998 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Volume I of this report presents a technical description of the Marshall Engineering Thermosphere (MET) model atmosphere and a summary of its historical development. Vari- ous programs developed to augment the original capability of the model are discussed in de- tail. The report also describes each of the individual subroutines developed to enhance the model. Computer codes for these subroutines are contained in four appendices. Volume II contains a copy of each of the reference documents. If you have questions or comments or need to request additional information, contact the Chief, Electromagnetics and Aerospace Environments Branch, Systems Analysis and Inte- gration Laboratory, MSFC, AL 35812. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS Section Title I INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................... 1 II SCOPE ........................................................................................................................... 1 HI DESCRIPTION OF THE NEUTRAL THERMOSPHERE .......................................... 1 A. Variations ............................................................................................................ 1 B. Solar Activity Parameters
  • TIMED Mission Science Overview

    TIMED Mission Science Overview

    J-H. YEE TIMED Mission Science Overview Jeng-Hwa Yee The Thermosphere, Ionosphere, Mesosphere Energetics and Dynamics (TIMED) mission is a low-cost NASA Sun-Earth Connections mission designed to provide a basic understanding of the least explored and least understood region of the Earth’s environ- ment—the mesosphere, lower thermosphere, and ionosphere (MLTI). The MLTI region is located approximately 60 to 180 km above the surface and is a gateway between the Earth’s lower atmosphere, in which we live, and space. The TIMED suite of four remote sensing instruments measures energy inputs and outputs in the MLTI region as well as its basic structure, including seasonal and latitudinal variations. Over its 2-year mission, TIMED is investigating the relative importance of various radiative, chemical, electro- dynamic, and dynamic processes that govern the structure and variability of the MLTI region. This article presents an overview of TIMED mission science and objectives. BACKGROUND Although our knowledge of the near-Earth space program designed to quantitatively understand the environment has increased enormously since the start of energetics and dynamics of Earth’s mesosphere, lower the Space Age, many signifi cant gaps still exist, and our thermosphere, and ionosphere (MLTI), a region of ability to model the variability of the system as a whole the atmosphere about 60 and 180 km above the sur- remains rudimentary at best. The Sun, its atmosphere and face. (Complete information on the TIMED mission, heliosphere, and the Earth’s magnetosphere and atmo- including participants, status, science, etc., may be sphere are coupled by important physical processes that found at http://www.timed.jhuapl.edu/mission/.) The are only partially known (NASA Strategic Plan, 1994, MLTI is a transition region between the Sun and the http://umbra.nascom.nasa.gov/solar_connections.html).
  • ESA Space Weather STUDY Alcatel Consortium

    ESA Space Weather STUDY Alcatel Consortium

    ESA Space Weather STUDY Alcatel Consortium SPACE Weather Parameters WP 2100 Version V2.2 1 Aout 2001 C. Lathuillere, J. Lilensten, M. Menvielle With the contributions of T. Amari, A. Aylward, D. Boscher, P. Cargill and S.M. Radicella 1 2 1 INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................................................ 5 2 THE MODELS............................................................................................................................................. 6 2.1 THE SUN 6 2.1.1 Reconstruction and study of the active region static structures 7 2.1.2 Evolution of the magnetic configurations 9 2.2 THE INTERPLANETARY MEDIUM 11 2.3 THE MAGNETOSPHERE 13 2.3.1 Global magnetosphere modelling 14 2.3.2 Specific models 16 2.4 THE IONOSPHERE-THERMOSPHERE SYSTEM 20 2.4.1 Empirical and semi-empirical Models 21 2.4.2 Physics-based models 23 2.4.3 Ionospheric profilers 23 2.4.4 Convection electric field and auroral precipitation models 25 2.4.5 EUV/UV models for aeronomy 26 2.5 METEOROIDS AND SPACE DEBRIS 27 2.5.1 Space debris models 27 2.5.2 Meteoroids models 29 3 THE PARAMETERS ................................................................................................................................ 31 3.1 THE SUN 35 3.2 THE INTERPLANETARY MEDIUM 35 3.3 THE MAGNETOSPHERE 35 3.3.1 The radiation belts 36 3.4 THE IONOSPHERE-THERMOSPHERE SYSTEM 36 4 THE OBSERVATIONS ...........................................................................................................................
  • Marshall Engineering Thermosphere Model, Version MET-2007

    Marshall Engineering Thermosphere Model, Version MET-2007

    National Aeronautics and NASA/TM—2017–218238 Space Administration IS02 George C. Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, Alabama 35812 Marshall Engineering Thermosphere Model, Version MET-2007 R.J. Suggs and R.M. Suggs Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Alabama April 2017 The NASA STI Program…in Profile Since its founding, NASA has been dedicated to the • CONFERENCE PUBLICATION. Collected advancement of aeronautics and space science. The papers from scientific and technical conferences, NASA Scientific and Technical Information (STI) symposia, seminars, or other meetings sponsored Program Office plays a key part in helping NASA or cosponsored by NASA. maintain this important role. • SPECIAL PUBLICATION. Scientific, technical, The NASA STI Program Office is operated by or historical information from NASA programs, Langley Research Center, the lead center for projects, and mission, often concerned with NASA’s scientific and technical information. The subjects having substantial public interest. NASA STI Program Office provides access to the NASA STI Database, the largest collection of • TECHNICAL TRANSLATION. aeronautical and space science STI in the world. English-language translations of foreign The Program Office is also NASA’s institutional scientific and technical material pertinent to mechanism for disseminating the results of its NASA’s mission. research and development activities. These results are published by NASA in the NASA STI Report Specialized services that complement the STI Series, which includes the following report types: Program Office’s diverse offerings include creating custom thesauri, building customized databases, • TECHNICAL PUBLICATION. Reports of organizing and publishing research results…even completed research or a major significant providing videos. phase of research that present the results of NASA programs and include extensive data For more information about the NASA STI Program or theoretical analysis.
  • Differences and Similarities Between the Two Hemispheres

    Differences and Similarities Between the Two Hemispheres

    Magnetosphere-ionosphere-thermosphere coupling: differences and similarities between the two hemispheres March 27, 2014 Applicants: Ingrid Cnossen and Matthias F¨orster (coordinators), Anasuya Aruliah, Gareth Chisham, Mark Conde, Eelco N. Doornbos, Stein E. Haaland, Aaron Ridley Abstract Disturbances in the solar wind and interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) affect the Earth’s high-latitude thermosphere and ionosphere via coupling with the magnetosphere. To first order, one might expect these cou- pling processes to be symmetric between the two hemispheres. However, recent observations have shown that the upper thermospheric/ionospheric response to solar wind and IMF dependent drivers of the magnetosphere- ionosphere-thermosphere system can be very dissimilar in the Northern (NH) and Southern Hemisphere (SH). Statistical studies of both ground- and satellite-based observations show hemispheric differences in the average high-latitude electric field patterns, associated with magnetospheric convection, as well as hemispheric differ- ences in ion drift and neutral wind circulation patterns. The cross-polar neutral wind and ion drift velocities are generally larger in the NH than the SH, and the hemispheric difference shows a semi-diurnal variation. The neutral wind vorticity is likewise larger in the NH than in the SH, with the difference probably becoming larger for higher solar activity. In contrast, the spatial variance of the neutral wind is considerably larger in the SH polar region. Simulations with the Coupled Magnetosphere-Ionosphere-Thermosphere (CMIT) model have recently demonstrated that these differences can be explained at least to some extent by asymmetries in the Earth’s magnetic field, both in magnetic flux density and in the offset between the geographic and invariant magnetic poles in the two hemispheres [6].