CEDAR Frontiers: High-Latitude Neutral Outflow Larry Gardner

1
CEDAR Frontiers High-Latitude Neutral
OutflowLarry Gardner Utah State University
lgardner_at_cc.usu.eduRobert Schunk Utah State
University robert.schunk_at_usu.edu

• Neutral Outflow
• Primary mechanism - charge exchange
• Sources neutral polar wind auroral zone
• Magnetospheric impact is poorly understood
• Outflow Rates
• Outflow rates are poorly understood, with few
  observations. However, rates of 1x109 cm-2s-1
  have been indicated via measurements and
  modeling.
• Propose Studies That Advance
• Understanding of outflow rates
• Understanding magnetospheric areas most affected
  by neutral outflow

Neutral O in Auroral Oval
2
High-Latitude Neutral Outflow

• Neutral Outflow
• Neutral outflow at high-latitudes occurs when an
  energized outflowing ion undergoes a
  charge-exchange reaction with a background
  neutral atom. It is unclear what effect these
  outflowing neutrals will have on the mass and
  energy distribution in the magnetosphere, and
  current magnetospheric models do not incorporate
  the impact of these neutrals.
• Auroral Zone
• The auroral zone in an active area of the
  high-latitudes where the magnetosphere/ionosphere
  system is highly coupled. Models of the aurora
  do not include the impact of heavy, or light,
  neutral atoms produced in the charge-exchange
  reactions of energized ions outflowing from the
  auroral zone.

3
High-Latitude Neutral Outflow

• Suggested Areas for CEDAR Support
• Further 3D time-dependent modeling of neutral
  atom outflow.
• Development of new instruments to measure neutral
  atoms.
• Satellite measurements of neutral atoms in the
  magnetosphere.
• Develop new techniques to infer neutral atom
  characteristics.
• Goals
• Improved understanding of neutral atom impact on
  the magnetosphere.
• Improved understanding of neutral atom
  ionospheric outflow sources.
• Improved understanding of magnetospheric regions
  impacted by neutral atom outflow.