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Plasmasphere Empirical Modeling with the IMAGE MissionEmpirical models of plasmaspheric properties date from the pioneering work of Storey where he developed the analysis of ground whistler observations that lead to his estimate for the equatorial plasma density at L=3. The most recent in situ satellite study takes us to 1000 CRRES satellite passes and a statistical analysis of the plasmapause location at all local times and for varying geomagnetic conditions by Moldwin et al. These and many other studies over the intervening 49 years have given us a strong familiarity with the distribution of cold plasmaspheric ions throughout the magnetosphere. The major components of inner plasmasphere, nightside bulge, sunward convection tail, and plasmapause are all well established. Storm-time erosion and the resulting ionospheric refilling has been encompassed, even if not completely understood. Small-scale density variations near the plasmapause and extending at least to geosynchronous orbit have been characterized in a variety of ways, even though we do not yet understand their origin. This paper will present early empirical modeling results from the inversion of IMAGE/EW global intensity images to density distributions. Densities are obtained in this initial study through use of forward image modeling with a simple 3-parameter plasmaspheric and plasmapause mathematical model. Individual interior plasmaspheric density profiles and plasmapause locations are obtained every 10 degrees in magnetic local time for each E W image analyzed. Derived profile parameters are statistically characterized in the context of storm magnitude and evolution. Identified patterns in the appearance of plasmaspheric structures, plasmapause erosion, and refilling will be presented. Comparisons to existing empirical plasmaspheric models and the implications for new modeling will be presented. Additional information is included in the original extended abstract.
Document ID
20030000432
Acquisition Source
Marshall Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Gallagher, D. L.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL United States)
Adrian, M. L.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL United States)
Fung, S. F.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Green, J. L.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Sandel, B.
(Arizona Univ. Tucson, AZ United States)
Six, N. Frank
Date Acquired
August 21, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2002
Subject Category
Geophysics
Meeting Information
Meeting: XXVIIth General Assembly of the International Union of Radio Science
Location: Maastricht
Country: Netherlands
Start Date: August 17, 2002
End Date: August 24, 2002
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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