Space Weather: Initial Development of an Analysis Model of the Inner Magnetosphere

William Marsh Rice University, Houston TX

Investigators

Abstract

This project will develop ad space weather analysis model for use in the preparation of space weather maps and space weather forecasting. The analysis model will be driven by data from spacecraft in geosynchronous, geosynchronous-transfer and polar low-Earth (LEO) orbits. Three components of space weather will be included in the analysis model: (1) the magnetic field, (2) fluxes of radiation-belt (high energy) particles, and (3) fluxes of keV electrons. For each of these components, the analysis model will include four elements: (a) an empirical model, (b) observational data, (c) the model error-covariance matrix, and (d) a physics based model checker/corrector. The checker/corrector component will ensure that the model is consistent with physical laws.