P1.11
An overview of next generation charged-particle instruments for geosynchronous orbit
E. A. MacDonald, LANL, Los Alamos, NM; and H. O. Funsten, E. E. Dors, J. Burward-Hoy, M. F. Thomsen, J. T. Steinberg, and V. Jordanova
Next generation space weather instruments that are designed to monitor charged particles up to 100 MeV will soon be fielded on government satellites at geosynchronous orbit. The planned measurement capabilities of energetic particle telescopes and a plasma spectrometer, which features novel, limited-resource, ion composition identification will be presented. In particular, the capability to directly measure ion composition, not measured at geosynchronous orbit in over 20 years, will be highlighted. We anticipate significant gains in understanding the role of heavy ionospheric ions, their energization, and their transport through the magnetosphere. Oxygen can dominate the composition of the plasma sheet and ring current during the largest geomagnetic storms, so this new capability will enable more accurate storm-time magnetospheric modeling, of critical importance to storm-related space weather.
Poster Session 1, Space Weather Posters
Monday, 21 January 2008, 2:30 PM-4:00 PM, Exhibit Hall B
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