Difference between revisions of "2010 Summer Workshop"

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''Conveners: Aaron Ridley <ridley [at] umich.edu> and Masha Kuznetsova <Maria.M.Kuznetsova [at] nasa.gov>''
 
''Conveners: Aaron Ridley <ridley [at] umich.edu> and Masha Kuznetsova <Maria.M.Kuznetsova [at] nasa.gov>''
  
The GGCM Metrics and Validation Focus Group would like to invite modelers to
 
participate in a model comparison.  The goal of this comparison is to
 
examine how the different models handle basic solar wind and interplanetary
 
magnetic field coupling with the magnetosphere.  We invite modelers to bring
 
simulation results in which the following conditions are simulated:
 
  
0. Zero dipole tilt.
 
 
1. Constant Pedersen conductances in the ionosphere of 5 mho.  Zero Hall
 
conductance.  This condition is to simplify things, since everyone has a
 
different implementation of the aurora.  We need to discuss how to do a more
 
realistic conductance, but have everyone do the same thing.  We will discuss
 
this at GEM.
 
 
2. Solar wind density is constant at 5/cc.  Temperature is constant at
 
100,000 K.  Vx is constant at -400 km/s, while Vy and Vz = 0.
 
 
3. The IMF starts at Bz=-5 nT, By=Bx=0.0.  And varies as the following:
 
 
yyyy  mm dd hh mm ss Bx By Bz
 
 
2000 03 21 00 00 00 0.0 0.0 -5.0
 
 
2000 03 21 02 00 00 0.0 0.0 -5.0
 
 
2000 03 21 02 10 00 0.0 0.0 -10.0
 
 
2000 03 21 04 00 00 0.0 0.0 -10.0
 
 
2000 03 21 04 10 00 0.0 0.0 -20.0
 
 
2000 03 21 06 00 00 0.0 0.0 -20.0
 
 
2000 03 21 06 10 00 0.0 0.0 -30.0
 
 
2000 03 21 08 00 00 0.0 0.0 -30.0
 
 
2000 03 21 08 10 00 0.0 0.0 -40.0
 
 
2000 03 21 10 00 00 0.0 0.0 -40.0
 
 
2000 03 21 10 10 00 0.0 0.0 -50.0
 
 
2000 03 21 12 00 00 0.0 0.0 -50.0
 
 
We would like to examine:
 
 
1. The ionospheric potential patterns and the cross polar cap potential. 
 
Please bring plots of the CPCP versus time for the entire time period.
 
 
2. The mapping of currents from the ionosphere to the magnetosphere (and
 
beyond, as some see it.)
 
 
3. The development of the ring current.  Please bring plots of Dst (if you
 
can calculate Dst).
 
 
4. The structure of the magnetosphere, including:
 
 
(a) the position of the
 
magnetopause and bow shock - please bring plots of the magnetopause location
 
and bowshock location versus time;
 
 
(b) the length of the tail - please bring
 
plots of the location of the last closed field-line (in the magnetosphere)
 
versus time; and
 
 
(c) the shape of the magnetosphere - please bring plots of
 
the magnetospheric current (Jy), plotting from X=~-100->~32; z=~-50->~50 at
 
times just before the IMF Bz changes orientation (i.e., 1:45, 3:45, 5:45,
 
7:45, 9:45, 11:45).
 
 
We are more than willing to consider other models, rather than just global
 
MHD simulations.  For example, empirical models could be utilized.  Ring
 
current models could also be utilized (one of the interesting issues that is
 
being discussed is whether there is saturation of the inner magnetosphere
 
when the outer magnetosphere is saturated).
 
 
We would also like to discuss varying different parameters, if other are
 
interested.  We will discuss this further at GEM.
 
 
''Aaron Ridley and Masha Kuznetsova''
 
  
 
== GGCM Modules and Methods ==
 
== GGCM Modules and Methods ==
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''Conveners: Brian Sullivan (bsullivan [at]artemis.sr.unh.edu)''
 
''Conveners: Brian Sullivan (bsullivan [at]artemis.sr.unh.edu)''
  
The GGCM Methods and Modules Focus group would like to invite participants
 
to two sessions to be held at the summer GEM workshop in Snowmass June 21-26. 
 
Both sessions will be held Wednesday, June 24:
 
 
'''Session 1 (10:30 am):  What role does electron dissipation play in open
 
boundary condition simulations of magnetic reconnection?'''
 
 
In this session, we would like to continue where we left off last year,
 
addressing the following issues:
 
 
1.  What is the role of secondary magnetic islands?  Are they an irrelevant
 
by-product, or do they play an essential role in determining the aspect
 
ratio of the dissipation region?
 
 
2.  What limits the aspect ratio of the electron dissipation region?
 
 
3.  How does the reconnection rate scale with dissipation scale parameters
 
(e.g., resistivity or electron mass) in simulations (electron MHD, Hall MHD,
 
hybrid, fully kinetic)?
 
 
'''Session 2 (1:30 pm):  How do we accurately model magnetospheric reconnection
 
on a global scale?'''
 
  
Topics for this session include:
 
 
1.  How does the physics of reconnection depend on the ad hoc resistivity
 
model used in global MHD codes?  In particular, how does reconnection scale
 
with resistivity in the high Lundquist number limit? What is the effect of
 
numerical resistivity? Can we reproduce Petschek reconnection by localizing
 
the plasma resistivity? What is the effect of current dependent resistivity?
 
 
2.  How does dayside magnetopause reconnection work in global MHD codes?
 
Is reconnection locally controlled or externally driven?  Does the Cassak-
 
Shay formula apply to the dayside magnetopause?
 
 
3.  What is the status of global Hall MHD modeling?  What are the most
 
robust numerical approaches?  What are the new results coming from the
 
latest generation of global Hall MHD magnetosphere codes?
 
 
4.  What is the status of other non-MHD approaches to global magnetosphere
 
modeling (e.g., global hybrid codes)?  Are there any new ideas on the
 
horizon?
 
 
If you are interested in participating in either of these sessions, please
 
email the focus group co-chair:
 
 
''brian.sullivan [at] unh.edu.''
 
  
 
== Bow Shock Phenomena and their Magnetospheric Impacts ==
 
== Bow Shock Phenomena and their Magnetospheric Impacts ==
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''Conveners: N. Omidi <omidi [at] solanasci.com>, D. Sibeck <david.g.sibeck [at] nasa.gov>''  
 
''Conveners: N. Omidi <omidi [at] solanasci.com>, D. Sibeck <david.g.sibeck [at] nasa.gov>''  
  
During the 2009 GEM Summer workshop at Snowmass Colorado, a session on the
 
bow shock and its magnetospheric impacts will be held on Monday June 22nd.
 
This marks the last year of the Bow Shock Focus Group and in addition to
 
discussion of recent observations, modeling, and theory of the bow shock and
 
related processes in the foreshock and the magnetosheath we will discuss
 
future plans. In particular, N. Omidi will provide a summary of
 
accomplishments and current status and D. Sibeck will discuss future
 
missions followed by solicitation and discussion of ideas about future
 
directions and plans.
 
 
Those who are interested and wish to show a few
 
relevant slides are invited to contact the conveners:
 
 
''omidi [at] solanasci.com, David.G.Sibeck [at] nasa.gov.''
 
 
For updated information please see http://www.cpe.vt.edu/gem/index.html .
 
  
 
== Plasma Entry and Tranport into and within the Magnetotail (PET) ==
 
== Plasma Entry and Tranport into and within the Magnetotail (PET) ==
  
''Conveners: Antonius Otto <ao [at] how.gi.alaska.edu>, Jay R. Johnson <jrj [at] pppl.gov>, and Simon Wing <Simon.Wing [at] jhuapl.edu>''
 
 
We would like to invite contributions to the PET focus group at the upcoming
 
GEM workshop in Snowmass on June 21-26, 2009.  The sessions will be held in
 
a workshop (NOT AGU) style in which each speaker will be allotted time for a
 
2-3 slides, in order to ensure enough time for discussion.  In order to
 
encourage this, at least one of the slides should deal with unresolved
 
issues.  Speakers are encouraged to end the presentation with outstanding
 
questions rather than a summary of what has/have been accomplished.  It is
 
expected that there will be three sessions: (1) Plasma entry into the
 
Magnetosphere; (2) Plasma transport in the plasma sheet; and (3) M-I
 
coupling and magnetotail transport.  Sessions 1 and 2 have been tentatively
 
scheduled on Jun 22 Tues afternoon while session 3 on Jun 23 Wed afternoon
 
(See http://www.cpe.vt.edu/gem/index.html for the definitive schedule).  If
 
you have not already done so, please send the title(s) and session(s) of
 
your contribution(s) to us at your earliest convenience at the email
 
addresses listed below. 
 
 
'''The following lists a brief description of these three sessions.'''
 
 
''Plasma Entry into the Magnetosphere''
 
 
The session invites contributions on (a) morphology (plasma properties, time
 
scales, dawn dusk-asymmetry etc.) of plasma entry at the magnetospheric
 
boundaries, (b) mechanisms, models, and observation specific for northward
 
IMF, (c) mechanism and physics for southward IMF,  and (d) entry rates and
 
physics that processes the newly entering plasma (modification of
 
distribution functions, local entropy, fluxtube entropy,..)
 
 
''Plasma Transport in the Plasmasheet''
 
 
This session focuses on the topics of (a) convective vs turbulent transport
 
for northward and southward IMF, (b) constraints to convection (entropy,
 
boundary conditions), (c) mapping of convection to the ionosphere,
 
observations, ionospheric influence on convection or turbulence, (d)
 
mechanisms and related observations for convection and turbulence in the
 
plasma sheet (recovery phase, bursty bulk flows; steady magnetospheric
 
convection, etc.).
 
 
''M-I Coupling and Magnetotail Transport''
 
  
The session invites contributions on (a) the morphology of ion outflow
 
(Fluxes, outflow locations, concentrations and distribution in the plasma
 
sheet), (b) time scales of ion outflow, (c) solar wind dependence, (d)
 
heating of the cold ionospheric material, (e) ionospheric influence on
 
transport in the magnetosphere.
 
  
 
== Dayside Magnetopause Reconnection ==
 
== Dayside Magnetopause Reconnection ==
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''Conveners: Jean Berchem <jberchem [at] igpp.ucla.edu>, Nick Omidi <omidi [at] solanasci.com>''
 
''Conveners: Jean Berchem <jberchem [at] igpp.ucla.edu>, Nick Omidi <omidi [at] solanasci.com>''
  
We are soliciting contributions to the Dayside Magnetopause Reconnection
 
session that will be held at the upcoming GEM workshop in Snowmass on June
 
21-26, 2009.
 
 
The session will bring together people interested in the occurrence of
 
magnetic reconnection at the dayside magnetopause. Given the wide range of
 
scales involved in reconnection processes, the discussion will address both
 
local and global aspects through a variety of modeling techniques including
 
full particle, hybrid, multi-fluid and MHD simulations, as well as in-situ
 
and ground-based observations. Our main goals this year will be to summarize
 
recent progress and to focus on outstanding questions.  Since the session
 
will be held in a workshop style, each speaker is encouraged to present only
 
a few slides to ensure enough time for discussion.
 
  
To facilitate scheduling, please send us a tentative title for your
 
contribution at your earliest convenience.
 
 
''Jean Berchem and Nick Omidi''
 
  
 
== Physical Processes in the Cusps: Plasma Transport and Energization ==
 
== Physical Processes in the Cusps: Plasma Transport and Energization ==
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''Conveners: K.J. Trattner, N. Omidi and D. Sibeck''
 
''Conveners: K.J. Trattner, N. Omidi and D. Sibeck''
  
During the 2009 Summer GEM workshop in Snowmass Colorado, a number of
 
sessions on the physical processes in the cusp will be held. The main
 
objective of these sessions is to utilize observations, modeling, and theory
 
of the cusp and its role in particle acceleration and plasma transport to
 
assess the current status of the field and forge collaborative efforts
 
towards addressing outstanding issues in the future. Based on the topics in
 
earlier years and the discussions during the mini-workshop held during the
 
2008 Fall AGU, we plan to focus on the following topics:
 
 
1. Plasma transport into the cusp.
 
 
2. Energization of ions in diamagnetic cavities.
 
 
3. Origin of waves observed in the cusp and their role in particle scattering and acceleration.
 
 
4. Interaction of FTE's with the cusp.
 
 
5. The source region of energetic ions and electrons observed in the cusp.
 
  
6. Ionospheric signatures of such processes such as Poleward Moving Auroral Forms
 
 
It is the ultimate goal of the workshop to enhance our understanding of the
 
cusp physics, its coupling to other parts of the system such as the bow
 
shock, magnetopause and the ionosphere and the important role it plays in
 
dayside transport and energization. Observational and theoretical
 
contributions to this session are hereby solicited.
 
 
Those interested in these topics are invited to attend and contribute
 
through showing a few slides and/or participation in the discussions. 
 
Information regarding hotel reservations and travel arrangements will be
 
posted on the GEM website (http://www.cpe.vt.edu/gem) in the near future. 
 
Those wishing to give a presentation or with questions regarding the
 
workshop should contact the conveners:
 
 
''trattner [at] mail.spasci.com, omidi [at]solanasci.com or david.g.sibeck [at] nasa.gov.
 
''
 
  
 
== Magnetosphere-Ionosphere Coupling, Electrodynamics and Transport (MICET) (No session) ==
 
== Magnetosphere-Ionosphere Coupling, Electrodynamics and Transport (MICET) (No session) ==
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''Stan Sazykin <sazykin [at] rice.edu> and Benoit Lavraud <Benoit.Lavraud [at] cesr.fr>''
 
''Stan Sazykin <sazykin [at] rice.edu> and Benoit Lavraud <Benoit.Lavraud [at] cesr.fr>''
 
   
 
   
We would like to invite potential contributors to the Near Earth
+
 
Magnetosphere: Plasma, Fields and Coupling Focus Group at the upcoming GEM
 
Summer Workshop in Snowmass (June 21-26, 2009) to participate with modeling,
 
theoretical and observational studies related to the topics below. Our focus
 
group will have 3 breakout sessions on June 24 (Wed.) (for the full schedule
 
of the workshop see http://www.ece.vt.edu/GEM-2009).
 
 
(1) Better observational knowledge/empirical models of fields and particles
 
relevant to the near-Earth magnetosphere (including plasma sheet models to
 
be used as input for near-Earth magnetosphere models); studies related to
 
better knowledge of the electric fields (convection and induced) are
 
particularly encouraged.
 
 
(2) Improvements in physics-based modeling, including coupling between
 
different elements in the models (plasma, electric and magnetic fields), as
 
well as inner-outer magnetosphere coupling; studies that address the effect
 
of the above coupling on the inner magnetosphere structure/dynamics,
 
including potential improvement of consistency with observations. A
 
significant part of this session will be devoted to presentations of results
 
related to the Near-Earth Magnetosphere Modeling Challenge. A description of
 
the Challenge can also be found at the Wiki address above.
 
 
Potential contributors are urged to contact the conveners indicating their
 
interest in participating. The sessions will be held workshop-style, with
 
contributers encouraged to limit their number of slides to maximum 5. Please
 
send the title of your contribution to us at the email addresses above.
 
 
Besides the 2 sessions dedicated to the topics above, a 3rd session will be
 
devoted to refining the direction of the focus group in the future;
 
community input is both welcome and appreciated. It is the ultimate goal of
 
the focus group to improve physical knowledge and modeling of the near-Earth
 
(< 10 RE) magnetosphere and its coupling with the outer magnetosphere. An
 
outline of the major topics of interest of the focus group can be found at:
 
 
http://gem.epss.ucla.edu/mediawikiwiki/index.php/FG8._Near_Earth_Magnetosphere:_plasma%2C_fields%2C_and_coupling
 
  
 
== Space Radiation Climatology ==
 
== Space Radiation Climatology ==
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''Conveners: Paul O'Brien (paul.obrien [at] aero.org) and Geoff Reeves (reeves [at] lanl.gov)''
 
''Conveners: Paul O'Brien (paul.obrien [at] aero.org) and Geoff Reeves (reeves [at] lanl.gov)''
  
The Space Radiation Climatology Focus Group will host a joint meeting with the Next Generation Radiation Specifications Consortium (NGRSC). NGRSC-focused sessions will occur on Wednesday, and GEM-SRC focused sessions will occur on Thursday. See http://www.virbo.org/GEM_NGRSC_2009 for more information.
 
 
The NGRSC focus is development of radiation specification models to replace the out-of-date AE-8 and AP-8 models. The new models will improve upon AE-8 and AP-8 by being more accurate and more capable. New capabilities will include worst case environments and extended particle energy coverage. These new capabilities will help address spacecraft charging and surface dose effects which are not addressed by the current generation of specification models, except in select orbits. The workshop consisted of about 25 participants from Aerospace, Air Force Research Lab, Los Alamos National Lab, NOAA, ONERA (The French Aerospace Lab), Naval Research Lab, UCLA, and the University of Texas. Workshop presentations typically include updates on satellite particle radiation data inter-calibration, statistical models and methods, and data assimilation. Support for this effort comes from a wide array of sources, including the NRO's Proton Spectrometer Belt Research (PSBR) program and NASA's Living With a Star (LWS) program, NSF's Geospace Environment Modelling (GEM) program, and The Aerospace Corporation's IR&D program. 
 
 
 
''Wednesday AM: NGRSC Project Updates (I)''
 
 
This schedule will be, if anything, more workshoppy even than GEM. We will try to allocate about 20-30 minutes of open discussion time per presentation.
 
 
Talks in this session include AE9/AP9 and LANL/DREAM project updates.
 
 
''Wednesday PM1: NGRSC Project Updates (II)''
 
 
Talks in this session include Aerospace and (possibly) ONERA-DESP/CRATERRE project updates
 
 
''Wednesday PM2: Tools Updates et Cetera''
 
 
Talks in this session include updates of IRBEM-LIB, intercalibration methodology, fast L*, and the inversion library.
 
 
''Thursday AM: Recent science results from long-term simulations and data analysis''
 
 
Chair: O'Brien.
 
 
''Thursday our focus changes to more traditional GEM workshop questions of science, methods, and coordination of future work.''
 
 
Talks scheduled so far: Weigel, Shprits, O'Brien
 
 
''Thursday PM1: Implementation and methodology lessons learned''
 
  
Chair: Shprits
 
 
Talks scheduled so far: Ni, Kondrashov
 
 
''Thursday PM2: Data/reanalysis sharing and future plans''
 
 
Chair: Weigel
 
 
Highlight: Themis SST overview by the PI, Larson.
 
 
Talks scheduled so far: Weigel, Chen, Denton
 
  
 
== Diffuse Auroral Precipitation ==
 
== Diffuse Auroral Precipitation ==
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''Conveners: Richard Thorne <rmt [at] atmos.ucla.edu>''
 
''Conveners: Richard Thorne <rmt [at] atmos.ucla.edu>''
 
   
 
   
There will be four separate breakout sessions devoted to the Diffuse Auroral
 
Precipitation Focus Group at the 2009 GEM workshop.
 
 
'''Session 1'''
 
 
Tu, 23 June, 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
 
 
DAP 1:  " Understanding Diffuse Auroral Structure "
 
 
Co-chaired by Marilla Samara (msamara [at] swri.edu) and Robert Michell
 
(rmichell [at] swri.edu).
 
 
We invite contributions relating to the wide range of observable auroral
 
structures and their classification. Diffuse aurora contains a wide range of
 
structures including the most fine scale features. However, the mechanisms
 
causing structure in aurora, whether discrete or diffuse, need to be defined
 
within a larger theoretical understanding, which requires consistency in
 
verification resulting from observations of all types of structures.
 
 
Therefore, we would like to broaden the discussion to include more than what
 
is often deemed to be diffuse auroral structure. A main re-occurring theme
 
is the confusion on what is actually termed diffuse aurora and most
 
importantly how to recognize it in optical data.
 
 
Topics for discussion will include:
 
 
1. Variety of auroral structure (and characteristics) observed to date with
 
ground imagers, satellite-borne imagers and their counterparts in the in
 
situ particle measurements.
 
 
2. Working definition of diffuse aurora: Historical context and observations.
 
Is it ever really structureless?
 
 
3. Current knowledge of what these diffuse auroral structures tell us about
 
in situ and wave scattering processes (connection to the other 2 sessions).
 
What future measurements and models will add to the current understanding?
 
 
Input on how to further shape this session is welcome and encouraged.
 
 
 
'''Session 2'''
 
 
Tu, 23 June, 3:30 - 5:00 p.m.
 
 
DAP 2:  "The Relationship Between Diffuse Aurora and the Dynamics and Structure of the Magnetosphere"
 
 
Co-chaired by Eric Donovan (edonovan [at] ucalgary.ca) Marilia Samara and Robert Mitchell
 
 
A number of different types of aurora are classified as diffuse. These
 
aurora are caused by a number of distinct precipitation mechanisms which
 
sometimes overlap in space. Unlike discrete aurora, in most instances
 
diffuse aurora is a more or less direct consequence of a process or
 
processes in the magnetosphere, and so temporal variations of and
 
spatial gradients in brightness are thought to convey significant
 
information about those magnetospheric processes. Further, diffuse
 
auroral precipitation plays some role in the loss of magnetospheric
 
particles and in carrying large- and possibly small-scale currents, and
 
so the diffuse aurora is important in the system-level behavior of
 
geospace.
 
 
In this session we will be exploring the use of diffuse aurora to remote
 
sense magnetospheric dynamics, and the role of diffuse aurora in those
 
dynamics. We encourage contributions about (1) the physical meaning (in
 
terms of magnetospheric dynamics and topology) of diffuse auroral
 
boundaries and their temporal evolution, variations in brightness, as
 
well as (2) the importance of diffuse aurora in carrying large-scale
 
currents and magnetospheric particle loss. We encourage presentations
 
based on observational and theoretical/modelling work. We are hoping for
 
presentations describing work that utilizes coordinated ground-based
 
(ASIs, induction coil & fluxgate magnetometers, riometers, ISRs, etc)
 
and in situ (THEMIS, FAST, Polar, Geotail, LANL, etc) observations.
 
 
Topics for discussion will include
 
 
1. How is the motion of diffuse auroral structures related to
 
magnetospheric convection?
 
 
2. The poleward boundary of the diffuse “redline” aurora has been widely
 
used as a proxy for the open-closed field line boundary. In terms of the
 
magnetosphere, what does the equatorward boundary of the redline aurora
 
correspond to?
 
 
3. What is the "state of the art" in terms of using intensity ratios to
 
infer characteristics of precipitating particles?
 
 
4. What is the instantaneous spatial extent of different types of
 
diffuse aurora?
 
 
5. How do large-scale processes (eg., solar wind pressure pulses, ULF
 
waves including Pi2s, etc) modulate diffuse auroral brightness?
 
 
6. How do diffuse aurora of different types relate to currents?
 
 
7. How do diffuse aurora of different relate to magnetospheric particle
 
loss?
 
 
 
 
'''Session 3'''
 
 
Wed, 24 June, 10:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
 
 
DAP 3 "Modeling Electron Scattering Rates by ECH waves and Chorus"
 
 
Co-chaired by Richard Thorne  (rmt [at] atmos.ucla.edu) and Binbin Ni
 
(bbni [at] atmos.ucla.edu).
 
 
This session will examine the global morphology, spectral properties, and
 
variability of two classes of magnetospheric plasma waves, electrostatic
 
electron cyclotron harmonic (ECH) and electromagnetic whistler mode chorus
 
plasma waves, which are capable of scattering plasma sheet electrons,
 
leading to diffuse auroral precipitation. Theoretical calculations of pitch-
 
angle scattering rates from each class of wave will be presented to assess
 
their potential contribution to the global pattern of diffuse auroral
 
precipitation.
 
 
 
'''Session 4'''
 
 
Wed, 24 June, 1:30 – 5:00 p.m.
 
 
DAP 4:  "Required Inputs for Global Modeling: Plans for 2009-2010
 
Activities"
 
 
Co-chaired by Margaret Chen (Margaret.W.Chen [at] aero.org) and Richard Thorne (rmt [at] atmos.ucla.edu)
 
 
In this session we will discuss how data and theoretical scattering rates
 
can best be implemented in future models of the global distribution of
 
diffuse auroral precipitation. We will also outline plans and objectives for
 
the next year of the campaign.
 
 
 
Anyone interested in contributing to any of these sessions is encouraged to
 
contact the relevant session chairs.
 
  
 
== Plasmasphere-Magnetosphere Interactions ==
 
== Plasmasphere-Magnetosphere Interactions ==
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''Conveners: From: Jerry Goldstein <jgoldstein [at] swri.edu> and Maria Spasojevic <mariaspasojevic [at] stanford.edu>''
 
''Conveners: From: Jerry Goldstein <jgoldstein [at] swri.edu> and Maria Spasojevic <mariaspasojevic [at] stanford.edu>''
  
The 2009 GEM workshop will feature FIVE sessions for the Focus Group
 
"Plasmasphere-Magnetosphere Interactions" (PMI).  This focus group seeks to
 
improve our understanding of the two-way coupling between the plasmasphere
 
and magnetosphere.  The PMI Focus Group website can be reached here:
 
http://tinyurl.com/pmiFGwiki
 
 
Anyone interested in participating or contributing is encouraged to email
 
Jerry Goldstein (jgoldstein [at] swri.edu) or Maria Spasojevic
 
(mariaspasojevic [at] stanford.edu).
 
 
'''The five (5) PMI sessions to be held at the upcoming 2009 GEM:'''
 
 
''MON 22 JUN: 10:30am - 12:15pm PMI Breakout 1A:''
 
 
"Wave Growth and Propagation"
 
 
''MON 22 JUN: 1:30 - 3:00pm PMI Breakout 1B:''
 
 
"Plasma Influence on Wave Particle Interactions"
 
 
''MON 22 JUN: 3:30 - 5:00pm PMI Breakout 2:''
 
 
"Plume Transport, Evolution, and Influence"
 
 
''TUE 23 JUN: 10:30am - 12:15pm PMI Breakout 3:''
 
 
"Plasma Density Structure and Evolution"
 
 
''THU 25 JUN: 3:30 - 5:00pm Joint PMI-CEDAR session:''
 
 
"Plasmasphere, Magnetosphere, Ionosphere:  Overall System Response"
 
 
More complete descriptions of these sessions are listed below under "SESSION
 
DESCRIPTIONS".
 
 
Interested in participating or contributing?  Contact:
 
 
Jerry Goldstein (jgoldstein [at] swri.edu)
 
Maria Spasojevic (mariaspasojevic [at] stanford.edu).
 
 
'''SESSION DESCRIPTIONS'''
 
 
MON 22 JUN: 10:30am - 12:15pm PMI Breakout 1A: "Wave Growth and
 
Propagation"
 
 
''How does the evolving global distribution of cold plasma govern the growth
 
and propagation of waves that control energetic particle distributions &
 
dynamics?''
 
 
This session focuses on the influence of ambient plasma upon how waves are
 
produced, and how they propagate.  To be examined are the conditions for
 
growth and propagation of various waves including EMIC, whistlers (hiss,
 
chorus), ULF, especially the  influence of ambient plasma properties (such
 
as density, composition, and spatial  structure on various scale sizes).
 
 
 
MON 22 JUN: 1:30 - 3:00pm PMI Breakout 1B: "Plasma Influence on Wave
 
Particle Interactions"
 
 
''How do ambient plasma properties such as temperature, density, and
 
composition influence wave particle interactions?''
 
 
This session focuses on how ambient plasma influences the waves-particle
 
interactions themselves, examining how various plasma properties (such as
 
density, composition, and spatial structure on various scale sizes) help
 
govern the effectiveness of various waves in changing the energy or pitch
 
angle of energetic particles.
 
 
 
MON 22 JUN: 3:30 - 5:00pm PMI Breakout 2:
 
"Plume Transport, Evolution, and Influence"
 
 
''How is eroded plasmaspheric material transported, how does it evolve and
 
influence reconnection?''
 
 
This session will examine the formation, dynamics, and fate of
 
plasmaspheric  plume plasma.  Specific topics to be addressed include (but
 
are not limited to):  observation or modeling of cold, dense plasma mixed
 
with magnetospheric plasma, plume plasma at reconnection sites or on open
 
field lines, recirculation or redistribution of cold, dense plasma into the
 
cusp and plasmasheet.
 
 
 
TUE 23 JUN: 10:30am - 12:15pm PMI Breakout 3:
 
"Plasma Density Structure and Evolution"
 
 
''How do various plasma density structures originate and evolve during various
 
phases of geomagnetic activity?''
 
 
This session will focus upon outstanding questions about the dynamics of
 
density structures in the plasmaspheric.  Potential topics to be covered
 
include, plume, fine structure & turbulence, plasma instabilities, refilling,
 
ionosphere-thermosphere-plasmasphere interactions, and subcorotation.
 
 
 
THU 25 JUN: 3:30 - 5:00pm; Joint PMI-CEDAR session:
 
 
"Plasmasphere, Magnetosphere, Ionosphere:  Overall System Response"
 
 
''How do PMI processes influence the overall system response to storms?''
 
 
This session will investigate the effects of redistribution of thermal ions
 
(ionospheric and plasmaspheric) on the stormtime response of the overall
 
magnetospheric system.  The goal is to develop our understanding of the
 
interaction among components of the larger system.
 
 
''Contact:''
 
''Jerry Goldstein (jgoldstein [at] swri.edu), Maria Spasojevic''
 
''(mariaspasojevic [at] stanford.edu)''
 
  
 
== Substorm Expansion Onset: The First 10 Minutes ==
 
== Substorm Expansion Onset: The First 10 Minutes ==
  
This is the 1st announcement of the focus group "Expansion Onset: The First
 
10 Minutes" for the upcoming GEM workshop in Snowmass (June 21-26, 2009;
 
http://www.cpe.vt.edu/gem/index.html).
 
 
We will have 4 breakout sessions on
 
June 25 (Thu) and 26(Fri) (for the current schedule of the overall workshop
 
see http://www.ece.vt.edu/GEM-2009).
 
 
Following are four topics and primary questions we will discuss this year.
 
 
1) Onset Timing
 
What is the time sequence of onset-related phenomena observed in space and
 
on the ground, and what are the implications for substorm initiation?
 
 
2) M-I Coupling
 
How does aurora evolve around substorm onsets?  How are magnetospheric and
 
ionospheric onset signatures connected in terms of auroral precipitation and
 
currents, and what can we learn about substorm initiation from simultaneous
 
ground-satellite observations?
 
 
3) Onset Signature Propagation
 
How do onset-related signatures propagate in the magnetosphere?  How does
 
the uncertainty of propagation time affect our understanding of substorm
 
initiation?
 
 
4) Mapping
 
How does the presence and evolution of pre-onset and expansion-phase current
 
systems affect the link between auroral and plasma sheet locations and
 
processes?
 
 
Sessions will be scheduled based on responses to this announcement.  Those
 
who are interested in participating in the discussion are encouraged to
 
email to Andrei Runov (arunov at igpp.ucla.edu), the session coordinator,
 
with c.c. to other conveners.
 
 
We look forward to seeing you there.
 
 
''Vassilis Angelopoulos (vassilis [at] ucla.edu)''
 
 
''Kazuo Shiokawa (Shiokawa [at] stelab.nagoya-u.ac.jp)''
 
 
''Andrei Runov (arunov [at] igpp.ucla.edu)''
 
  
''Shin Ohtani (ohtani [at] jhuapl.edu)''
 
  
 
== Modes of Solar Wind-Magnetosphere Energy Transfer ==
 
== Modes of Solar Wind-Magnetosphere Energy Transfer ==
  
 
''Convener: Larry Kepko <larry.kepko [at] unh.edu>''
 
''Convener: Larry Kepko <larry.kepko [at] unh.edu>''
 
The Modes of Transport focus group will hold 2 breakout sessions at
 
the upcoming GEM Workshop in Snowmass (June 21-26, 2009). Both
 
sessions will be held on the afternoon of Tuesday, June 23. This focus
 
group seeks to improve our knowledge of the physical mechanisms that
 
provide for different dynamical modes of response of the magnetotail
 
to the solar wind.
 
 
1) This first session seeks event, statistical and theoretical studies
 
of solar wind coupling and magnetospheric response. Topics include
 
(but are not limited to) sawtooth events, steady magnetospheric
 
convection, and pseudo-breakups.
 
 
2) In this second session we seek to: a) Identify questions that can be
 
addressed with global MHD simulations and b) Find events, particularly
 
during the THEMIS era, that can be used to answer the questions
 
developed in (a). This session will be old-school workshop format, so
 
participants are encouraged to bring plots and data for particular
 
events.
 
 
''Interested participants should email either Larry Kepko (larry.kepko
 
[at] unh.edu) or Bob McPherron (rmcpherron [at] igpp.ucla.edu).''
 
 
== Geospace System ==
 
 
'''Prospectus for a "Geospace System" Focus Group: Call for Participation'''
 
 
Friday, June 26, 10:30-12:15
 
 
''From: Bill Lotko <wlotko [at] dartmouth.edu> and George Siscoe <siscoe [at] skynet.bu.edu>''
 
 
We would like to initiate a discussion among the magnetospheric and aeronomy communities (portions, at least) on the prospect of undertaking a global, system-dynamics study of the coupled solar wind-magnetosphere-ionosphere-thermosphere system, which we identify simply as the geospace system.  The suggestion responds to two circumstances: first, 50 years of magnetospheric research have shown the geospace system to be interactively coupled in multiple ways from the solar wind to the thermosphere, and second, as GEM moves in its long-range program from the 'divide-and-conquer' stage to the more challenging synthesis stage, a focus group devoted to problems of the coupled system will leverage scientific progress in each GEM research area.  The magnitude of the task to comprehend the global system in its coupled complexity is almost certainly too great for a single, scientist-centered research team and probably too great for the multiple teams of a single institution. Instead it would seem to require a sustained collaborative effort by experts of manifold specialties distributed among many institutions. It might even take the combined collaboration of the GEM community and a sizable portion of the CEDAR community. 
 
 
The priorities of such a focus group must be enlightened by community interest. To begin the conversation we can suggest among many possible directions several problems, each global in scope and of considerable current interest. We have asked some GEM participants to help initiate the discussion with a few slides on each problem. They include: 1) the dayside reconnection potential, its relationship to the polar cap potential, and the saturation of both at large IMF; 2) global resonance, periodicity of the magnetospheric response, and sawtooth phenomena; 3) ionospheric-magnetospheric plasma circulation, including ionospheric outflows, and its effects on plasmasheet and inner magnetospheric dynamics; and 4) prompt penetration electric fields and their relationship to the dayside ionospheric superfountain, storm enhanced density, and plasmaspheric plumes. While some aspects of these global problems can be treated as regional phenomena, differentiated by distinct physical processes, their dynamics seem to evolve as an integrated whole during extreme solar wind conditions. The geospace system thus behaves coherently across a broad spatiotemporal range, making it difficult to unravel its causal behavior by considering the response in terms of isolated elements or processes. Integration of global problems of this type into a system-dynamics picture spans the expertise of all five GEM research areas and several CEDAR working groups. We invite participation from the GEM community in deciding whether the time is right for this focus group, and, if so, how best to structure its direction.
 

Revision as of 10:55, 12 May 2010

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GEM recently held its annual summer workshop June 21-26, 2009 at the Snowmass Conference Center in Snowmass, Colorado. Logistical information and workshop agenda can be found at the GEM Workshop Web Site.

Listed below are the call for presentations by various GEM focus groups before the Workshop. (Note: In the e-mail addresses below the symbol @ is replaced by " [at] ".)

GGCM Metrics and Validation

Conveners: Aaron Ridley <ridley [at] umich.edu> and Masha Kuznetsova <Maria.M.Kuznetsova [at] nasa.gov>


GGCM Modules and Methods

Conveners: Brian Sullivan (bsullivan [at]artemis.sr.unh.edu)


Bow Shock Phenomena and their Magnetospheric Impacts

Conveners: N. Omidi <omidi [at] solanasci.com>, D. Sibeck <david.g.sibeck [at] nasa.gov>


Plasma Entry and Tranport into and within the Magnetotail (PET)

Dayside Magnetopause Reconnection

Conveners: Jean Berchem <jberchem [at] igpp.ucla.edu>, Nick Omidi <omidi [at] solanasci.com>


Physical Processes in the Cusps: Plasma Transport and Energization

Conveners: K.J. Trattner, N. Omidi and D. Sibeck


Magnetosphere-Ionosphere Coupling, Electrodynamics and Transport (MICET) (No session)

(The MICET Focus Group officially ended in 2008.)

Near Earth Magnetosphere: Plasma, Fields and Coupling

Conveners: Focus Group co-chairs: Sorin Zaharia <szaharia [at] lanl.gov>, Stan Sazykin <sazykin [at] rice.edu> and Benoit Lavraud <Benoit.Lavraud [at] cesr.fr>


Space Radiation Climatology

Conveners: Paul O'Brien (paul.obrien [at] aero.org) and Geoff Reeves (reeves [at] lanl.gov)


Diffuse Auroral Precipitation

Conveners: Richard Thorne <rmt [at] atmos.ucla.edu>


Plasmasphere-Magnetosphere Interactions

Conveners: From: Jerry Goldstein <jgoldstein [at] swri.edu> and Maria Spasojevic <mariaspasojevic [at] stanford.edu>


Substorm Expansion Onset: The First 10 Minutes

Modes of Solar Wind-Magnetosphere Energy Transfer

Convener: Larry Kepko <larry.kepko [at] unh.edu>