Abstract
The Earth’s magnetosphere is formed as a consequence of interaction between the planet’s magnetic field and the solar wind, a continuous plasma stream from the Sun. A number of different solar wind phenomena have been studied over the past 40 years with the intention of understanding and forecasting solar behavior. One of these phenomena in particular, Earth-bound interplanetary coronal mass ejections (CMEs), can significantly disturb the Earth’s magnetosphere for a short time and cause geomagnetic storms. This publication presents a mission concept consisting of six spacecraft that are equally spaced in a heliocentric orbit at 0.72 AU. These spacecraft will monitor the plasma properties, the magnetic field’s orientation and magnitude, and the 3D-propagation trajectory of CMEs heading for Earth. The primary objective of this mission is to increase space weather forecasting time by means of a near real-time information service, that is based upon in-situ and remote measurements of the aforementioned CME properties. The obtained data can additionally be used for updating scientific models. This update is the mission’s secondary objective. In-situ measurements are performed using a Solar Wind Analyzer instrumentation package and fluxgate magnetometers, while for remote measurements coronagraphs are employed. The proposed instruments originate from other space missions with the intention to reduce mission costs and to streamline the mission design process. Communication with the six identical spacecraft is realized via a deep space network consisting of six ground stations. They provide an information service that is in uninterrupted contact with the spacecraft, allowing for continuous space weather monitoring. A dedicated data processing center will handle all the data, and then forward the processed data to the SSA Space Weather Coordination Center which will, in turn, inform the general public through a space weather forecast. The data processing center will additionally archive the data for the scientific community. The proposed concept mission allows for major advances in space weather forecasting time and the scientific modeling of space weather.
Highlights
The Earth and its near surroundings are affected by space weather, which is defined as ‘‘the physical and phenomenological state of natural space environments’’ (COST 724 final report 2009)
The primary objective of this mission is to increase space weather forecasting time by means of a near real-time information service, that is based upon in-situ and remote measurements of the aforementioned coronal mass ejections (CMEs) properties
This paper presents a new mission proposal to monitor CMEs
Summary
The Earth and its near surroundings are affected by space weather, which is defined as ‘‘the physical and phenomenological state of natural space environments’’ (COST 724 final report 2009). CMEs can be detected currently in-situ by spacecraft at L1 (Lagrange-1 point), such as the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE, Smith et al 1998), the Comprehensive Solar Wind Laboratory for Long-Term Solar Wind Measurements (WIND, Ogilvie et al 1995), and SOHO They allow for an effective warning time of about one hour before effects of a geomagnetic storm are detectable on Earth. ‘‘Space Weather Diamond’’ focuses on the reactor of the system, the Earth, whereas the here presented mission monitors the actual actor, the Sun, including remote measurements systems allowing a more comprehensive view on the state of space weather than single point measurements This mission proposal sets the spacecraft significantly closer to the Sun, at 0.72 AU and thereby yields a much longer forecasting time, which is the most important advantage of this mission.
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