Overview of C2 mission and event

Science MeetingDartmouth

29-30 October 2009

Science objectives and questions• (1) Does dynamic aurora move with respect to the • background ionosphere? How much? Does it matter?

• (2) What is the spatial as compared to temporal • variation of auroral parameters like B and E?• What does this mean for theories of energy transfer?

• (3) Alfven waves carry disturbances and changes down • to and through the auroral zone, giving us structured and• dancing aurora. They are pretty: do they matter? Are • these structures significant for magnetosphere/ionosphere • coupling? Do direct observations of these motions validate • theories and models?

Bo

PFRRPFISR Toolik Kaktovic

E and B along Bo

e- across Bo

Fast e- down Bo

Image down Bo

Ground cameras

Radar

• VLF

• ELF

• Ions

• e-

• DCE

Array size: 4-6 km along B ~0.5 km across BStructure: 2 km wide footpoint 100-200 km

Alfven waves: velocity?

For a several km wide structureIn a density of around 10^4/cc at our altitudes3000 km/sec is reasonable for a parallel phase speed

Themis Where we want it

Afternoon plan• 1-2: overviews:• K: overview of mission and event (10)• Meghan: overview of particle data (5)• Erik: overview of fields data (5)• Hanna: overview of camera data (5)• (Jim: overview of HF data)• Marc: status of onboard camera (5)• JohnB: view of event from Themis point of view (15)

• 2-2:30 Hanna: camera data analysis: keograms, stereo view, energy fluxes

• 2:30-3 K: PFISR, ERPAs, HT: densities and spacecraft potential

• 3-3:30 Coffee run

• 3:30-4:15 Meghan (John, Hanna): detailed PBI classifications of the event: macro

• 4:15-5:00 Erik (Meghan, K): details of vortex structures and particle motion; mag analysis and microphysics

• 5-5:30 all: generation of discussion-topic list for Friday morning