Space Plasma Physics and Magnetometry Group

1
Space Plasma Physics and Magnetometry Group O.
Marghitu, M. Echim, H. Comisel, O.D.
Constantinescu, A. Blagau, C. Bunescu, M.
Ciobanu National Institute for Lasers Plasma and
Radiation Physics Institute for Space
Sciences July 6, 2004 Background The
terrestrial magnetosphere
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Outline

• Goals
• Scientific themes
• Main achievements
• Selection of scientific results

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A Goals A
2. Theoretical investigation of the solar wind
magnetosphere ionosphere system.
3. Preparation for ESA (PECS, PRODEX, ), EU
(FP6, ), and NASA ( ?) programs.
4
B Scientific Themes B

• Methods to derive the satellite attitude based
  on magnetic field data and dynamical modeling
  MAGION 2, 3, 4 5 data
• Auroral plasma physics Arc electrodynamics,
  magnetosphere ionosphere coupling FAST and
  CLUSTER data
• Theoretical and experimental investigation of
  the magnetic mirror instability EQUATOR-S and
  CLUSTER data
• Fundamental dynamics of space plasma Plasma
  transfer at the terrestrial magnetopause
  INTERBALL and CLUSTER data

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B Methods to Derive the Satellite Attitude B

• Romanian involvement in space magnetometry
  experiments dates back to 1976 1981, when the
  instruments SG-R1, SG-R2, and SG-R3 were flown on
  the Intercosmos satellites IK-18, IK-20, and
  IK-21.
• More recently, Romanian mag.meters were flown on
  several Czech sub-satellites MAGION-2 (AKTIVNII,
  1989), MAGION-3 (APEX, 1991), MAGION-4
  (INTERBALL-TAIL, 1995), and MAGION-5
  (INTERBALL-AURORA, 1996).
• An essential task of the magnetometers to
  provide information to be used for deriving the
  satellite attitude.

MAGION-5 PI Institute IAP Prague Launch August
29, 1996 Orbit 20000 x 1000, 650 Lost shortly
after launch and recovered in May 1998.
http//www.ufa.cas.cz/html/magion/magion.html
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B Methods to Derive the Satellite Attitude B

• Use magnetic field data and additional
  information produced by specialized sensors (Sun,
  Earth).
• When the additional information is degraded
  special numerical methods are required.
• By using magnetic field data and the dynamic
  modeling of the satellite motion it was possible
  to find the attitude of MAGION 2, 3 5, although
  the additional information was limited.
• Potential to extend the method to other missions
  (Double Star ?)

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B Auroral Plasma Physics Arc Electrodynamics
B

• Work done in collaboration with
  Max-Planck-Institut für extraterrestrische
  Physik, Garching, Germany, and Space Sciences
  Lab., Univ. of California, Berkeley, US.
• In order to evaluate the deviation of a real arc
  from the ideal model we developed the ALADYN
  (AuroraL Arc electroDYNamics) method, based on a
  parametric model of the arc and able to
  accommodate experimental data input.
• ALADYN was illustrated with in-situ data measured
  by Fast Auroral SnapshoT Explorer (FAST) and
  ground optical data measured by a CCD camera
  developed at MPE.

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B Auroral Plasma Physics M I Coupling B

• Work in progress, in collaboration with the
  Physics Department of the Umeå University,
  Sweden, MPE, and UCB-SSL.
• Focus on potential arc generator region, by
  using conjugated FAST and CLUSTER data (at 4000km
  and 100000km altitude, respectively).
• CLUSTER
• ESA mission consisting of 4 identical s/c, each
  of them equipped with 11 identical instruments.
• Launched in July August 2000, after a failed
  start in June 1996.
• The tetrahedron configuration allows the
  derivation of the current density vector, J.
• By using electric field, E, information from
  several instruments it is possible to improve on
  the reliability of E in the arc generator region
• The energy density, EJ, inferred from CLUSTER
  data, can be compared with the electron energy
  flux derived from FAST data.

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B Magnetic Mirror Instability B

• Work in collaboration with Institut für Geophysik
  und extraterrestrische Physik, Braunschweig,
  Germania.
• The magnetic mirror (MM) instability is common in
  the Earth magnetosheath but also in other space
  plasmas.
• A model was built which describe the 3D geometry
  of the MM the model predicts a complex
  geometrical structure, depending mainly on the
  plasma anisotropy and ß parameter.
• By using measured magnetic field data one can
  derive the model parameters.
• Multi-satellite data, as those provided by
  CLUSTER, improve on the reliability of the fit
  results.

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B Plasma Transfer at the Terrestrial
Magnetopause B

• Work in collaboration with Belgian Institute for
  Space Aeronomy, Bruxelles
• One of the addressed topics Investigation of the
  role of collective processes in the propagation
  of a solar wind plasma inhomogeneity (plasmoid).
• Decoupling of the plasma motion from the motion
  of the magnetic field lines, because of the
  electric field parallel to the magnetic field.
• The differential drift of ions and electrons
  results in space charges and a polarization
  electric field which supports the plasmoid
  convection.

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C Main Achievements C

• Investigation of fundamental processes in space
  plasma, that cannot be replicated under
  laboratory conditions.
• Participation in the scientific processing and
  interpretation of data obtained in the frame of
  the international program IASTP (Inter-Agency
  Solar Terrestrial Program).
• Access to state-of-the-art hardware and software.
  Expertise in numerical methods related to space
  applications and space plasma simulations.
• Consolidation of an efficient research group, at
  a time when the space information becomes more
  and more part of the daily life (space weather).
• Successful international collaborations
• Max-Planck-Institut für extraterrestrische
  Physik, Garching, Germany
• Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy, Bruxelles,
  Belgium
• Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Prague, Czech
  Republic
• Institute of Experimental Physics, Koice,
  Slovakia
• Institut für Geophysik und extraterrestrische
  Physik, Braunschweig, Germany
• Physics Department, University of Umeå, Sweden
• Space Sciences Lab., Univ. of California,
  Berkeley, US

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D Scientific Results D

• Papers in referred journals and proceedings
• M. Ciobanu, et al., The SGR-6,7,8 fluxgate
  magnetometers for MAGION-2, 3, 4 and 5 small
  satellites, in Small satellites for Earth
  observation, Berlin, 1997
• H. Comisel, et al., Attitude estimation of a near
  Earth satellite, Acta Astron., 40, 781-788, 1997
• M. Echim, et al., Multiple current sheets in the
  double auroral oval observed from the MAGION-2
  and MAGION-3 satellites, Ann. Geophys., 15,
  412-427, 1997
• M. Echim, et al., The early stage of a storm
  recovery phase a case study, Adv. Space Res.,
  20, 481-486, 1997
• H. Comisel, et al., Magion-3 spacecraft attitude
  from dynamics and measurement, BalkanPhys. Lett.,
  6, 59-64, 1998
• M. Echim and J. Lemaire, Laboratory and numerical
  experiments of the impulsive penetration
  mechanism, Space Sci. Rev., 95, 565-601, 2000

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D Scientific Results D

• Papers in referred journals and proceedings
• O. Marghitu, et al., Observational evidence for a
  potential relationship between visible auroral
  arcs and ion beams, Phys. Chem. Earth, 26,
  223-228, 2001
• O.D. Constantinescu, Self-consistent model of
  mirror structures, J. Atm. Sol.-Terr. Phys., 64,
  645- 649, 2002
• M. Echim and J. Lemaire, Advances in the kinetic
  treatment of the solar wind magnetosphere
  interaction the impulsive penetration mechanism,
  in Geophysical Monograph 133, eds. P. Newell si
  T. Onsager, p. 169-179, AGU, Washington, 2002
• M. Echim, Test-particle trajectories in
  ''sheared'' stationary field Newton-Lorenz and
  first order drift numerical simulations, Cosmic
  Research, 40, 534-547, 2002
• M. Echim and J. Lemaire, Positive density
  gradients at the magnetopause interpretation in
  the framework of the impulsive penetration
  mechanism, J. Atm. Sol.-Terr. Phys., 64,
  2019-2028, 2002
• O.D. Constantinescu, et al., Magnetic mirrors
  observed by Cluster in the magnetosheath,
  Geophys. Res. Lett., 30, 1802-1805, 2003

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D Scientific Results D

• Ph.D. Theses
• O. Marghitu, Auroral arc electrodynamics with
  FAST satellite and optical data,
  Naturwissenschaftliche Fakultät der Technischen
  Universität Carolo-Wilhelmina, Braunschweig,
  Germany, Mai 2003, http//www.biblio.tu-bs.de/edis
  s/data/20030606a/ 20030606a.html. Published also
  as MPE Report 284, ISSN 0178-0719.
• M. Echim, Kinetic aspects of the impulsive
  penetration of solar wind plasma elements into
  the Earths magnetosphere, Université catholique
  de Louvain, Belgia, July 2004.
• A. Blagau work in progress at
  Max-Planck-Institut für extraterrestrische
  Physik, Garching , Germany.
• 4. O.D. Constantinescu work in progress at
  Institut für Geophysik und extraterrestrische
  Physik, Braunschweig, Germany.

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D Scientific Results D
Presentations at international conferences 1.
M. Ciobanu, H. Comisel, et al., Magnetic field
data bases Magion 2, 3, 4 5 satellites,
COSPAR Colloquium Interball and beyond, Sofia,
February 2002 2. M. Echim, The penetrability of
the magnetopause tested by numerical integration
of single particle orbits, COSPAR Colloquium
Interball and beyond, Sofia, February 2002 3.
O.D. Constantinescu, et al., Modeling the
structure of magnetic mirrors using Cluster data,
AGU Fall Meeting, San Francisco, Decembrie
2002 4. M. Echim, Cross-field propagation of
plasma irregularities numerical results relevant
for magnetopause investigation, Int. Conf.
on Auroral Phenomena and Solar-Terrestrial
Relations, Moscow, February 2003 5. O. Marghitu,
et al., A new method to investigate arc
electrodynamics, EGSAGU Joint Assembly, Nice,
April 2003 6. O. Marghitu, et al., 3D current
topology in the vicinity of an evening evening
arc, EGSAGU Joint Assembly, Nice, April 2003 7.
O. Marghitu, A. Blagau, et al., FAST CLUSTER
conjunctions above the auroral oval, STAMMS
Conference, Orleans, Mai 2003
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D Scientific Results D
Presentations at international conferences 8.
O.D. Constantinescu, et al., Magnetic mirror
geometry Uusing Cluster data case study,
STAMMS Conference, Orleans, Mai 2003 9. O.D.
Constantinescu, et al., Magnetic mirror geometry
Uusing Cluster data model and correlation
technique, IUGG General Assembly, Sapporo, July
2003 10. H. Comisel, M. Ciobanu, A. Blagau, et
al., Attitude determination for Magion 5
satellite using magnetometer data only, Int.
Conf. on Magnetospheric Response to Solar
Activity, Praga, September 2003 11. O. Marghitu,
CLUSTER moments Error analysis, CIS Workshop,
Paris, September 2003 12. O. Marghitu, M.
Hamrin, et al., CLUSTER electric field
measurements in the magnetotail, EGU General
Assembly, Nice, April 2004 13. M. Hamrin, O.
Marghitu, et al., Energy transferin the auroral
magnnetosphere as derived from CLUSTER and FAST
data, EGU General Assembly, Nice, April 2004 14.
O.D. Constantinescu, at al., Particle kinetics
and distribution function inside magnetic
mirrors, EGU General Assembly, Nice, April 2004