High Resolution Observations of Ionospheric Plasma at the 
Earth's Magnetopause

Suzanne Smith
Physics PhD Candidate, The Catholic University of America
FPI Team Member NASA-GSFC

Wed, October 31, 2018 - 4:00 PM
Karl Herzfeld Auditorium of Hannan Hall - Rm 108

Launched in March 2015, the Magnetospheric Multiscale spacecraft with its suite of instruments now provide new temporal and spatial resolutions enabling close examination of the kinetic processes at the magnetopause. Plasma from the Earth’s ionosphere gets pumped to the dayside magnetopause under various solar wind conditions. This discussion will focus on cold, low energy ion legs that are observed on the leading and trailing edges of a core of sheath-like plasma. Plasma and magnetic signatures of these event suggests the transients may be the observation of flux ropes at a distance far from the core field. Links between cold ions and dynamic processes, such as flux ropes, at the magnetopause give more insight into the solar wind - magnetosphere interaction.  

Refreshments served at 3:45 PM

If you have any questions about the Colloquium Series  or would like to make a donation please contact Adrienne Black, black@cua.edu or (202) 319-5315.