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Solar and Space Physics: A Science for a Technological Society
209
9
Report of the Panel on Solar WindMagnetosphere Interactions
9.1 SUMMARY OF SWMI SCIENCE PRIORITIES AND IMPERATIVES
The magnetosphere is a central part of the solar and space physics system. Its various regions interact
globally in complex, nonlinear ways with each other, with the solar wind, and with the upper atmosphere.
These interactions occur by a number of fundamental physical processes that operate throughout the universe. The resulting dynamic variations in the magnetospheric environment also have important practical
consequences for a society that is increasingly reliant on ground- and space-based technological systems
that are sensitive to Earth’s space environment.
Significant progress has been made over the past decade in achieving the science objectives identified
in the 2003 decadal survey for solar wind-magnetosphere interactions. 1 This progress has been achieved
through a powerful combination of tools, including new data from satellites launched during the decade
or just before (e.g., Cluster, IMAGE, THEMIS, TWINS); analysis of data returned from earlier missions; data
from instruments flown on non-NASA operational satellites; measurements from suborbital missions and
from networks of ground-based observatories; greatly improved numerical simulations; analytical theory;
and laboratory work.
For the coming decade, the Panel on Solar Wind-Magnetosphere Interactions (SWMI) identified a set of
eight high-priority science goals for research in solar wind-magnetosphere interactions—goals that follow
naturally from the progress that has been made and will contribute substantially toward accomplishing the
decadal survey key science goals for solar and space physics identified in Chapter 1 of this report. These
eight goals (which are not prioritized) are as follows:
SWMI Science Goal 1. Determine how the global and mesoscale structures in the magnetosphere
respond to variable solar wind forcing.
1 National Research Council, The Sun to the Earth—and Beyond: A Decadal Research Strategy in Solar and Space Physics, The
National Academies Press, Washington, D.C., 2003; and National Research Council, The Sun to the Earth—and Beyond: Panel
Reports, The National Academies Press, Washington, D.C., 2003.
Solar and Space Physics: A Science for a Technological Society
209
9
Report of the Panel on Solar WindMagnetosphere Interactions
9.1 SUMMARY OF SWMI SCIENCE PRIORITIES AND IMPERATIVES
The magnetosphere is a central part of the solar and space physics system. Its various regions interact
globally in complex, nonlinear ways with each other, with the solar wind, and with the upper atmosphere.
These interactions occur by a number of fundamental physical processes that operate throughout the universe. The resulting dynamic variations in the magnetospheric environment also have important practical
consequences for a society that is increasingly reliant on ground- and space-based technological systems
that are sensitive to Earth’s space environment.
Significant progress has been made over the past decade in achieving the science objectives identified
in the 2003 decadal survey for solar wind-magnetosphere interactions. 1 This progress has been achieved
through a powerful combination of tools, including new data from satellites launched during the decade
or just before (e.g., Cluster, IMAGE, THEMIS, TWINS); analysis of data returned from earlier missions; data
from instruments flown on non-NASA operational satellites; measurements from suborbital missions and
from networks of ground-based observatories; greatly improved numerical simulations; analytical theory;
and laboratory work.
For the coming decade, the Panel on Solar Wind-Magnetosphere Interactions (SWMI) identified a set of
eight high-priority science goals for research in solar wind-magnetosphere interactions—goals that follow
naturally from the progress that has been made and will contribute substantially toward accomplishing the
decadal survey key science goals for solar and space physics identified in Chapter 1 of this report. These
eight goals (which are not prioritized) are as follows:
SWMI Science Goal 1. Determine how the global and mesoscale structures in the magnetosphere
respond to variable solar wind forcing.
1 National Research Council, The Sun to the Earth—and Beyond: A Decadal Research Strategy in Solar and Space Physics, The
National Academies Press, Washington, D.C., 2003; and National Research Council, The Sun to the Earth—and Beyond: Panel
Reports, The National Academies Press, Washington, D.C., 2003.