Open AccessMission to the Sun‐Earth L 5 Lagrangian Point: An Optimal Platform for Space Weather Research
Author(s) -
Vourlidas Angelos
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
space weather
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.254
H-Index - 56
ISSN - 1542-7390
DOI - 10.1002/2015sw001173
Subject(s) - space weather , geosynchronous orbit , coronal mass ejection , lagrangian point , meteorology , weather satellite , remote sensing , orbit (dynamics) , environmental science , solar wind , aerospace engineering , satellite , geography , physics , engineering , astronomy , quantum mechanics , magnetic field
Abstract The Sun‐Earth Lagrangian L 5 point is a uniquely advantageous location for space weather research and monitoring. It covers the “birth‐to‐impact” travel of solar transients; it enables imaging of solar activity at least 3 days prior to a terrestrial viewpoint and measures the solar wind conditions 4–5 days ahead of Earth impact. These observations, especially behind east limb magnetograms, will be a boon for background solar wind models, which are essential for coronal mass ejection (CME) and shock propagation forecasting. From an operational perspective, the L 5 orbit is the space weather equivalent to the geosynchronous orbit for weather satellites. Optimal for both research and monitoring, an L 5 mission is ideal for developing a Research‐to‐Operations capability in Heliophysics.