Investigating Solar Wind-Magnetosphere Coupling Using Spacecraft Observations from Earth’s Magnetopause and Low-Altitude Cusp
Marit Oieroset, Research Physicist
Space Sciences Laboratory
Open. Apprentices needed for the fall semester. Enter your application online beginning August 21st. The deadline to apply is Monday, August 31st, 4pm.
Magnetic reconnection is a fundamental plasma process that converts magnetic energy into particle energy and plays an important role throughout space, laboratory, and astrophysical plasmas. At Earth, reconnection at the magnetopause provides a pathway for solar-wind particles and energy to enter the magnetosphere and is an important driver of aurora and space weather.
Earth’s magnetopause maps to the low-altitude magnetospheric cusps, two funnel-shaped regions where solar-wind particles can travel deep into the magnetosphere. Observations from the low-altitude cusps can therefore provide a unique, global view of reconnection between Earth’s magnetosphere and the solar wind magnetic field. In this project, we will combine observations from NASA’s THEMIS and MMS missions, which measure plasma and magnetic fields at the magnetopause, with observations from the newly launched TRACERS mission, which flies through the low-altitude cusp. We will investigate how signatures observed in the cusp are related to the structure and dynamics of reconnection at the magnetopause. This cross-region approach will help us better understand how energy and particles are transferred from the solar wind into the magnetosphere.
Role: The student will identify reconnection events in the spacecraft data, analyze the observations using existing software, and perform more detailed case studies on selected events.
Qualifications: We are seeking applicants with a strong interest in space physics/astronomy. Some programming experience is helpful but not required. We are looking for highly motivated and intellectually curious individuals with attention to detail and the ability to work well independently and collaboratively. Students from underrepresented groups are particularly encouraged to apply.
Hours: 6-8 hrs
Off-Campus Research Site: The work will take place at UC Berkeley's Space Sciences Laboratory (SSL). Some of the work can be done remotely, but weekly in-person meetings are required. Please take the free hill shuttle from the Hearst mining circle to the top of the hill. SSL is the last stop (~10 min bus ride).
Related website: https://www.ssl.berkeley.edu/
Related website: https://tracers.physics.uiowa.edu/