GEM: Diffuse Aurora Model with Optimal Parameterization

Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore MD

Investigators

Abstract

This project will construct an empirical model of the diffuse aurora using data from the DMSP satellites. By utilizing the DMSP data it is possible to clearly differentiate the diffuse aurora and discrete aurora. This can be done in an automated fashion, allowing the complete DMSP particle precipitation database to be used. The DMSP data will also allow separate models of the southern and northern hemispheres to be constructed and to examine the nature of the diffuse aurora both under solar illumination and in darkness. The coupling function developed under previous NSF support will be utilized as an optimal parameter for describing the coupling between the solar wind interplanetary magnetic field and the magnetosphere. An additional coupling function will estimate the viscous coupling term that does not depend on the interplanetary magnetic field. The resulting model is expected to account for better than 2/3 of the variance in the data. Among the open scientific questions that this project will address is the role of UV insolation on diffuse auroral particle precipitation. The resulting models will be distributed to the public through a web site.