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Can an electron gun solve the outstanding problem of magnetosphere‐ionosphere connectivity?
Author(s) -
Delzanno Gian Luca,
Borovsky Joseph E.,
Thomsen Michelle F.,
Gilchrist Brian E.,
Sanchez Ennio
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of geophysical research: space physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2169-9402
pISSN - 2169-9380
DOI - 10.1002/2016ja022728
Subject(s) - ionosphere , spacecraft , magnetosphere , space weather , physics , aerospace engineering , space physics , variety (cybernetics) , space (punctuation) , geophysics , computer science , plasma , astronomy , engineering , quantum mechanics , artificial intelligence , operating system
Determining the magnetic connectivity between magnetospheric phenomena and ionospheric phenomena is an outstanding problem of magnetospheric and ionospheric physics. Accurately establishing this connectivity could answer a variety of long‐standing questions. The most viable option to solve this is by means of a high‐power electron beam fired from a magnetospheric spacecraft and spotted at its magnetic footpoint in the ionosphere. This has technical difficulties. Progress has been made on mitigating the major issue of spacecraft charging. The remaining physics issues are identified, together with the need for a synergistic effort in modeling, laboratory experiments, and, ultimately, testing in space. The goal of this commentary is to stimulate awareness and interest on the magnetosphere‐ionosphere connectivity problem and possibly accelerate progress toward its solution.