Magnetospheric Hydromagnetic Waves: Internal and External Coupling

Dartmouth College, Hanover NH

Investigators

Abstract

This project will examine the different magneto-hydrodynamic wave modes in the magnetosphere. Four interrelated topics will be studied: (1) The relationship of ULF waves to the energization of particles in the radiation belts, (2) resonant cavity modes in the inner magnetosphere, (3) excitation of field-line resonance modes by energetic ring current particles, and (4) the effects of pressure anisotropy on the plasma dynamics of the inner magnetosphere. The methods used to study these questions will include analysis of satellite and ground-based data, MHD and gyrokinetic simulations, and anisotropic MHD simulations coupled to hybrid code simulations.