UNDERSTANDING INTERCONNECTIONS AMONG VARIOUS PLASMA REGIONS OF THE COMPLEX SUN-EARTH SYSTEM IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT TO THE UNDERSTANDING OF OUR SPACE PLASMA ENVIRONMENT. THE EARTH S PLASMA SHEET SERVES AS A RESERVOIR OF PLASMA POPULATIONS THAT ARE THE SOURCE OF THE INNER MAGNETOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT. OBSERVATIONS INDICATE THAT FAST INTERMITTENT FLOWS ARE A PRIMARY MODE OF TRANSPORT IN THE PLASMA SHEET IN WHICH ION KINETIC PHYSICS PLAYS IMPORTANT ROLES BUT THE MANNER IN WHICH THOSE PLASMA SHEET POPULATIONS ARE ENERGIZED AND TRANSPORTED IS NOT FULLY UNDERSTOOD. PLASMA EARTHWARD TRANSPORT AND INSTABILITIES HAPPENING IN THE TAIL HAVE DIRECT EFFECTS ON THE RING CURRENT AND THE RADIATION BELTS. THE PROPOSED INVESTIGATION WILL ADDRESS THE KEY ISSUES REGARDING THE INTERACTION BETWEEN THE EARTH S INNER AND OUTER MAGNETOSPHERIC REGIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE TAIL FAST FLOWS.

Auburn University, Auburn AL

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