Dayside Cavity Mode Oscillations in the Inner Magnetosphere

Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore MD

Investigators

Abstract

This project will determine whether or not Ultra Low Frequency (ULF) cavity mode waves exist in Earth's inner magnetosphere and if they do, how the plasmasphere controls their properties. The project will make use of ground-based magnetic pulsation measurements from the McMAC magnetometer array. The ground-based pulsation data will be supplemented with solar wind measurements from the ACE satellite and magnetic pulsation measurements from the Geotail and GOES satellites. The data analysis will include 3-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations using a realistic plasmasphere density structure. Cavity mode waves may play an important role in the transport and energization of particles in the radiation belts.