Determining Plasmaspheric Density From the Upper Hybrid Resonance and From the Spacecraft Potential: How Do They Compare?

J. -M. Jahn; J. Goldstein; W. S. Kurth; S. Thaller; S. De Pascuale; J. Wygant; G. D. Reeves; H. E. Spence

doi:10.1029/2019JA026860

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Determining Plasmaspheric Density From the Upper Hybrid Resonance and From the Spacecraft Potential: How Do They Compare?

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Determining Plasmaspheric Density From the Upper Hybrid Resonance and From the Spacecraft Potential: How Do They Compare?

J. -M. Jahn, J. Goldstein, W. S. Kurth, S. Thaller, S. De Pascuale, J. Wygant, G. D. Reeves and H. E. Spence

Journal of geophysical research. Space physics, Vol.125(3), p.no

03/01/2020

DOI: 10.1029/2019JA026860

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https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1833920View

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Abstract

The plasmasphere is a critical region of the magnetosphere. It is important for the evolution of Earth's radiation belts. Waves in the plasmasphere interior (hiss) and vicinity (electromagnetic ion cyclotron, chorus) help control the acceleration and loss of radiation belt particles. Thus, understanding the extent, structure, content, and dynamics of the plasmasphere is crucial to understanding radiation belt losses. The Van Allen Probes mission uses two methods to determine the total plasma density. First, the upper hybrid resonance frequency can provide electron density; this determination is the most accurate and robust. However, it requires significant analysis and is challenging during geomagnetically active times: It becomes difficult to interpret the wave spectrum, and the amount of available data is severely limited. Second, the spacecraft potential is a proxy for the plasma density. These high-resolution measurements are available with high duty cycle. However, environmental effects can limit the accuracy of this method. The relation between spacecraft potential and density is empirical, requiring an independent density measurement and repeated checks. We perform a quantitative comparison of these two in situ techniques during the first 3.5 years of the Van Allen Probes mission. We show how to calibrate potential-based density measurements using only publicly available wave-derived densities to provide high-fidelity results even if upper hybrid measurements are sparse or unavailable. We quantify the level of uncertainty to expect from potential-derived density data. Our approach can be applied to any in situ spacecraft mission where reliable absolute density and spacecraft potential data are available.

Physical Sciences

Astronomy & Astrophysics

Science & Technology

Details

Title: Subtitle: Determining Plasmaspheric Density From the Upper Hybrid Resonance and From the Spacecraft Potential: How Do They Compare?
Creators: J. -M. Jahn - Southwest Research Institute
J. Goldstein - The University of Texas at San Antonio
W. S. Kurth - University of Iowa
S. Thaller - University of Colorado Boulder
S. De Pascuale - Oak Ridge National Laboratory
J. Wygant - University of Minnesota
G. D. Reeves - Los Alamos National Laboratory
H. E. Spence - University of New Hampshire at Manchester
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Journal of geophysical research. Space physics, Vol.125(3), p.no
DOI: 10.1029/2019JA026860
ISSN: 2169-9380
eISSN: 2169-9402
Publisher: Amer Geophysical Union
Number of pages: 17
Grant note: NAS5-01072 / Van Allen Probes Energetic Particle, Composition, and Thermal Plasma Suite (ECT) at University of Minnesota by Electric Field and Waves (EFW) under NASA NAS5-01072 / Van Allen Probes Energetic Particle, Composition, and Thermal Plasma Suite (ECT) at the University of Iowa by Van Allen Probes Electric and Magnetic Field Instrument Suite and Integrated Science (EMFISIS) under NASA
Language: English
Date published: 03/01/2020
Academic Unit: Physics and Astronomy
Record Identifier: 9984455363602771

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