Dynamic Magnetosphere Ionosphere Thermosphere coupling

Introduction

DynaMIT addresses a fundamental misunderstanding of how Earth is coupled to space in the polar ionosphere. Here, the neutral atmosphere collides with charged particles influenced by electromagnetic fields, profoundly impacting the dynamics of the atmosphere and its surroundings.

Current Understanding

Despite being the best instrumented region of space, our understanding of Earth's ionosphere is severely limited. The current paradigm contains two crippling assumptions:

1. The ionosphere is only 2D.
2. The ionosphere is in a steady state.

This conceptualization obscures the complex interplay of forces that change the fluids and electromagnetic fields in both regions.

Implications of Misunderstanding

This misunderstanding prevents us from accurately understanding phenomena, such as the aurora polaris, that have been observed and studied from the ground for centuries.

Project Goals

To advance beyond the state of the art, we must transition to a dynamic view of space-atmosphere coupling. This project will apply first principles to model how the neutral atmosphere, plasma, and electromagnetic fields interact.

Methodology

To do this, we will build and combine the DynaMIT model with novel measurements using an innovative data assimilation technique developed in-house. This ground-breaking combination of multi-instrument data with full 3D numerical simulations will create a radical new platform from which we will interrogate fundamental outstanding issues in space physics:

1. How ionospheric dynamics disturb Earth's magnetic field.
2. How energy flows between regions, and how it dissipates in the atmosphere.
3. How space-atmosphere coupling shapes near-Earth space.

Importance of the Research

These questions are critical for understanding how Earth interacts with space, and the influence on technology, climate, and circulation in the lower atmosphere.

Conclusion

If successful, DynaMIT will be a paradigm change that transforms our conceptual understanding of how the atmosphere is coupled with space, provides language to explain ionospheric observations, and paves the way for improvements in space weather predictions.