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Global IMAGE/EUV observations have revealed complex changes in plasmaspheric structures as the plasmasphere responds to geomagnetic activity while remaining under varying degrees of influence by co-rotation, depending on the radial distance. The complex plasmaspheric dynamics, with different scales of variability, is clearly far from being well understood. There is now renewed interest in the plasmasphere due to its apparent connections with the development of the ring current and radiation belt, and loss of ionospheric plasmas. Early in the mission, the Cluster spacecraft only crossed the plasmapause (L - 4) occasionally and made measurements of the outer plasmasphere and plasmaspheric drainage plumes. The study by Darrouzet et al. [2006] provided detailed analyses of in situ Cluster observations and IMAGE EUV observations of three plasmaspheric plumes detected in April-June, 2002. Within the next couple of years, Cluster orbit will change, causing perigee to migrate to lower altitudes, and thus providing excellent opportunities to obtain more detailed measurements of the plasmasphere. In this paper, we report our analyses of the earlier Cluster-IMAGE events by incorporating the different perspectives provided by the IMAGE Radio Plasma Imager (RPI) observations. We will discuss our new understanding of the structure and dynamics of the Cluster-IMAGE events.

Evidence has been found in IMAGE observations that overlap of the plasmasphere and the ring current may lead to enhanced loss of plasma into the ionosphere. It has long been anticipated that this mixing of plasma leads to coupling and resulting consequences on both populations. Wave generation, pitch angle scattering, and heating are some of the consequences that are anticipated. IMAGE plasmasphere ring current, and auroral observations will be presented and used to explore these interactions and their effects.

During a geomagnetic storm on 24 May 2000, the IMAGE Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) camera observed a plasmaspheric density trough in the evening sector at L-values inside the plasmapause. Forward modeling of this feature has indicated that plasmaspheric densities beyond the outer wall of the trough are well below model expectations. This diminished plasma condition suggests the presence of an erosion process due to the interaction of the plasmasphere with ring current plasmas. We present an overview of EUV, energetic neutral atom (ENA), and Far Ultraviolet (FUV) camera observations associated with the plasmaspheric density trough of 24 May 2000, as well as forward modeling evidence of the lie existence of a plasmaspheric erosion process during this period. FUV proton aurora image analysis, convolution of ENA observations, and ring current modeling are then presented in an effort to associate the observed erosion with coupling between the plasmasphere and ring-current plasmas.

Empirical models of plasmaspheric properties date from the pioneering work of Storey where he developed the analysis of ground whistler observations that lead to his estimate for the equatorial plasma density at L=3. The most recent in situ satellite study takes us to 1000 CRRES satellite passes and a statistical analysis of the plasmapause location at all local times and for varying geomagnetic conditions by Moldwin et al. These and many other studies over the intervening 49 years have given us a strong familiarity with the distribution of cold plasmaspheric ions throughout the magnetosphere. The major components of inner plasmasphere, nightside bulge, sunward convection tail, and plasmapause are all well established. Storm-time erosion and the resulting ionospheric refilling has been encompassed, even if not completely understood. Small-scale density variations near the plasmapause and extending at least to geosynchronous orbit have been characterized in a variety of ways, even though we do not yet understand their origin. This paper will present early empirical modeling results from the inversion of IMAGE/EW global intensity images to density distributions. Densities are obtained in this initial study through use of forward image modeling with a simple 3-parameter plasmaspheric and plasmapause mathematical model. Individual interior plasmaspheric density profiles and plasmapause locations are obtained every 10 degrees in magnetic local time for each E W image analyzed. Derived profile parameters are statistically characterized in the context of storm magnitude and evolution. Identified patterns in the appearance of plasmaspheric structures, plasmapause erosion, and refilling will be presented. Comparisons to existing empirical plasmaspheric models and the implications for new modeling will be presented. Additional information is included in the original extended abstract.

To date, the IMAGE EUV camera has observed several plasmaspheric density trough features inside the plasmapause under a wide range of geomagnetic activity. From the perspective of EUV, a density trough feature appears as a channel of diminished pixel counts which spans a width of L-shell (DELTA L) and magnetic local time (MLT) inside the plasmapause. Plasmaspheric density troughs are found to be morphologically complex possessing considerable spatial and temporal variability. We present an analysis of the evolution of trough DELTA L and MLT extent as functions of associated D (sub ST) and K (sub p) history. Trough features range in size from 0.16 less than or equal to DELTA L less than or equal to 1.2 with azimuthal extent from 1500 less than or equal to MLT less than or equal to 1200. All cases of plasmaspheric density troughs studied to date appear to have evolved as a result of the inner edge of the afternoon/evening plasma drainage plume being wrapped around through the nightside plasmasphere. The structure of plasmaspheric density trough features is further probed by analyzing simulated EUV images produced by forward modeling artificially introduced regions of depleted density into both static and dynamic global core plasmaspheric models. Forward modeling suggests that (1) L-shell refilling of density troughs during storm recovery can be modeled as filling from the ionosphere toward the equator (i.e., bottom-up refilling), and (2) that an erosion process is operating within flux tubes beyond the outer L-shell wall of the observed density troughs.

The IMAGE EUV imager observed a plasmaspheric density, trough in association with a geomagnetically active period on 24 May 2000. In EUV, this density, trough appears as an Archimedes spiral extending from Earth's shadow to approximately 1900 MLT. We present an analysis of this density trough using simulated EUV images, Observational EUV images are subjected to edge analysis to establish the plasmapause L-shell and the location of the density trough in terms of L-shell, MLT extent, and radial width. The plasmaspheric density distribution is modeled using both static and dynamic models for the plasmasphere. The background plasmasphere is then numerically simulated using the 4-parameter plasmaspheric density model contained within the Global Core Plasma Model (GCPM) and the Dynamic Global Core Plasma Model (DGCPM). Simulated EUV images of the model plasmasphere are produced once an artificial density, depletion, matching the observed MLT extent and width, has been removed. Once the azimuthal extent and width of the trough have been simulated, the depth of the artificial density depletion is iteratively adjusted to produce simulated EUV images that approximate observation. The results of this analysis and discussion of possible origins for this density trough will be presented.

The IMAGE Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) imager has now observed the plasmasphere under conditions of extreme erosion. Surprisingly, the plasmasphere is sometimes found to almost disappear. Global EUV images are used together with dynamic plasmasphere modeling to describe the convection electric field necessary to produce observed thermal plasma distributions under extreme conditions. These results will be compared with established measures of subauroral electric fields.

The plasmaspheric environment has been measured through in situ spacecraft since the early 1960's. With these early measurements, modeler's began to build plasmasphere models. A feature that appeared in the models that could not be directly confirmed in the measurements is a 'tail' on the dusk side that extends toward the sun. Convection flow has been assumed to give smooth azimuthal densities, except on the dusk side. The EUV images of the plasmasphere from the IMAGE spacecraft give a global picture, and show the 'tail' to be an extended region rather than density enhancements and also show the plasmasphere, particularly the plasmapause, to be much more dynamic than the models or in situ measurements have indicated. We will show some of the unexpected features and give a possible explanation for them.

The IMAGE EUV imager observed a plasmaspheric density trough in association with a geomagnetically active period on 24 May 2000. At EUV wavelengths, this density trough appeared as an Archimedes spiral extending from Earth's shadow to approximately 1800 MLT. We present an analysis of this density trough using simulated EUV images. Observational EUV images are subjected to edge analysis to establish the plasmapause L-shell and the location of the density trough in terms of L-shell, MLT extent, and radial width. The plasmaspheric density distribution is modeled using both static and dynamic models for the plasmasphere. The background plasmasphere is then numerically simulated using the 4-parameter plasmaspheric density model contained within the Global Core Plasma Model (GCPM) [Gallagher et al., 20001 and the Dynamic Global Core Plasma Model (DGCPM). Simulated EUV images of the model plasmasphere are produced once an artificial density depletion, matching the observed MLT extent and width, has been removed. Once the azimuthal extent and width of the trough have been simulated, the depth of the artificial density depletion is iteratively adjusted to produce simulated EUV images that approximate observation. The results of this analysis and discussion of possible origins for this density trough will be presented.

The Imager for Magnetopause-to-Aurora Global Exploration (IMAGE) is the first mission designed exclusively to remotely measure the magnetosphere. As such, it will reveal the ring current, plasmasphere, polar cusp, and magnetopause as whole extended, interacting systems. For the first time, our impressions of the global magnetosphere, synthesized through many years of whistler and in situ measurement, will be replaced by images. The overall morphology of each system of plasma and the correspondence of changes between them in response to the sun and solar wind will become available. The Extreme Ultraviolet Imager (EUV) and the Radio Plasma Imager (RPI) are the two IMAGE instruments which will remotely measure and image the plasmasphere. What we expect to "see" from these instruments and how it may be interpreted is the subject of this presentation. The EUV instrument includes three optical cameras, with an almost 90 degree field of view, transverse to the spin axis. EUV is designed to see He+ ions in resonantly scatter solar light at 30.4rim. The IMAGE spacecraft will spin with a period of about 2 minutes, with its spin axis parallel to the orbit normal. The IMAGE orbit will be highly inclined, with a high latitude apogee at a geocentric distance of 8RE and perigee of about 1.2RE. The normal observing integration time of 10 minutes will easily see to the outer edge of the plasmasphere. The RPI instrument makes use of three orthoganal dipole antennas: two in the spin plane with a tip-to-tip length of 500m and one along the spin axis with a length of 20 meters. Using coded pulse transmissions, the RPI instrument will broadcast from 3kHz to 3MHz. With one minute resolution, plasma densities from about 0.1 cm(exp -3) to 100,000 cm(exp -3), along with line-of-sight bulk velocities and locations, will be obtained from all returned radio wave signals. When transmitting from the high latitude magnetospheric cavity, RPI will measure density profiles for the major plasma structures in the magnetosphere, including the magnetopause, polar cusp, and plasmasphere. RPI should also see isolated density irregularities and possibly the plasma sheet. Observations The EUV instrument will return line-of-sight integrated images through the optically thin helium medium of the plasmasphere and magnetosphere. A variety of techniques have been suggested for the translation of the images into physically useful data, such as plasmapause location and three dimensional density distribution. The RPI instrument will return quantitative density values and line-of-sight velocity as a function of position along reflecting wave propagation paths. How they may be used individually and together to study plasmaspheric dynamics and global structure will be discussed. Attention will also be given to the data products and how access to IMAGE data will be provided by the IMAGE team and the NSSDC.

A rocket-borne vector magnetometer has been used to infer the current magnitude, direction, and distribution of midlatitude ionospheric currents near sporadic E. Complete vector information returned throughout the flight indicates that a southward equivalent surface current (vertically integrated current) of 0.15 amp/m was encountered between the altitudes of 104 and 118 km in both ascending and descending portions of the flight. Vertical distribution of the current within the layer was approximately uniform, and the layer was found to be horizontal within the accuracy of the experiment. The data are consistent with the assumption that a sporadic-E layer observed by Wallops Island ionosondes significantly altered the usual Sq current flow pattern by concentrating the current into a narrow altitude range, and by horizontally focusing the current flow into the sporadic-E region with attendant reduction of current density outside the region.

Vector magnetic field and energetic particle flux profiles, indicating geomagnetically aligned currents associated with visible auroral arc

A rocket-borne experiment containing a vector magnetometer and a set of charged-particle detectors was launched from Poker Flat, Alaska, at 2217 LT on February 13, 1971, over a single auroral arc. Particle data in the energy range 0.5-20 kev, obtained during part of the flight, show a peak incident flux of 40 millions electrons per sq cm sec ster kev in the energy range 1-2 kev. The pitch angle distributions of these precipitating electrons were found to be fairly isotropic from 0 to 60 deg and to decrease from 60 to 90 deg. The results of the vector magnetometer indicate the existence of a system of Birkeland currents with magnitudes of 5 microamperes/sq m in the vicinity of the auroral arc. Two different models that fit the data are discussed.