Outline

Space Physics Focus

Focus Leader: Reiner Friedel friedel@lanl.gov

Proposals are solicited that advance theoretical research, computational research, and/or observational research into the plasma environment of the Earth's atmosphere and into processes that affect this environment. Research on the transport of plasma and energy from the Sun through interplanetary space to the Earth is also encouraged. These include the interaction of various plasma populations and the coupling of microscopic and macroscopic phenomena.

The following topics are covered:

• solar dynamics responsible for the solar wind
• magnetohydrodynamics of the magnetosphere, ionosphere, and thermosphere
• magnetospheric substorms
• magnetotail current sheet dynamics
• dusty plasmas
• magnetospheric models (near-Earth plasma sheet through into the inner magnetosphere) and their use of LANL data for either boundary conditions, assimilation or validation
• physics affecting the performance and reliability of space-borne and ground-based technological systems
• statistics and predictability of magnetospheric substorms
• physics governing satellite to ground communications

In addition this year we solicit proposals covering the following areas:

• solar wind interaction with planetary magnetosphere ("Planetary Space physics") such as Jupiter or Saturn
• remote sensing of planetary geology and climate by planetary orbiters at the Moon and Mars

Leveraging against LANL facilities and databases, e.g., linkage to multi-cluster satellite experiments or computer simulation codes, is strongly encouraged.

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