Towards inner magnetosphere particle and field models

• Published in: Advances in space research Vol. 20; no. 3; pp. 427 - 430
• Main Authors: Spence, H.E, Jorgensen, A.M, Hughes, W.J, Fennell, J.F, Roeder, J.L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Headquarters Elsevier Ltd 01.01.1997; Pergamon
• Subjects: Geophysics
• ISSN: 0273-1177; 1879-1948
• DOI: 10.1016/S0273-1177(97)00704-7

We report on the initial stages of an effort to construct comprehensive empirical models of the plasma and fields in the inner magnetosphere. The models are based not only on archival data (e.g., SCATHA) but also on current spacecraft mission data (e.g., POLAR). In this component of the effort, we incorporate the recently archived data provided by the SCATHA (Spacecraft Charging AT High Altitude) satellite. The SCATHA satellite was in a neargeostationary orbit and was in operation for more than a decade. In this paper, we focus on the SCATHA plasma and magnetic field data from approximately the first two years of operation. The time-series data are binned according to spatial location and geomagnetic activity. Examples of statistical, empirical models from this initial effort are presented; even the simply-constructed preliminary models reveal such subtle features as the previously reported warm (>100 eV) plasma density enhancement near the magnetic equator ( Olsen, 1981).