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General Findings Concerning the Magnetospheric Realm

General Findings Concerning the Magnetospheric Realm. ILWS - 11 Science Workshop, Beijing, China, Aug-Sep 2011. Some Questions Addressed. What is a substorm ? A global process by which the magnetosphere unloads stored energy, supplied by the solar wind

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General Findings Concerning the Magnetospheric Realm

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  1. General Findings Concerning the Magnetospheric Realm ILWS - 11 Science Workshop, Beijing, China, Aug-Sep 2011

  2. Some Questions Addressed • What is a substorm ? • A global process by which the magnetosphere unloads stored energy, supplied by the solar wind • However : pseudo-break-ups, isolated flow bursts…

  3. “In - Out” versus “Out - In” scenario • Old controversy • For each scenario there is a story connecting an instability (tail) evolution to that of the aurora • THEMIS contribution; both scenarios observed => probably more than one physical mechanisms • Magnetosphere to Ionosphere mapping

  4. What are the precursors? • Role of auroral streamers as onset precursors • What is the instability that triggers the substorm onset? • Reconnection? NENL? • Current Disruption? • Ballooning? • How does a substorm fit within the larger system dynamics?

  5. Where are the “big” substorms? • Are substorms occurring during different phases of the Solar Cycle so different? • What is the magnetospheric response to the unusual recent solar minimum? What is the radiation belts response? • 2006-2008 radiation belt more robust in the absence of sustained geomagnetic activity • Slot region widening in 2008-2009

  6. What is the inner magnetosphere response during storms and substorms? • The main phase ring current system (“Region-2”) is highly asymmetric and is driven by the pressure of the inner magnetosphere.

  7. How is plasma transported in the magnetosphere? How is it accelerated? What is the role of the O+ ions outflow?

  8. Lessons learnt and What do we need to better understand the magnetospheric dynamics? • Coordinated measurements have revolutionised substorm studies • Global magnetospheric and auroral imaging and multi-probes (accurate in-situ measurements) are proven critical tools • Importance of ground observations, coordinated with space missions • Small and large scale processes, cross-scale coupling(THEMIS, progression from Cluster-Double Star to MMS) • Simultaneous and continuous solar and solar wind monitoring necessary • Simulation and modelling

  9. What do we need to better understand the magnetospheric dynamics? • Missing strategic link: • dedicated line of missions for simultaneous, coordinated in-situ measurements and global observationsNeed to cover : • the outer magnetosphere • the inner magnetosphere (ring current, radiation belts, plasmasphere) • the auroral region

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