Remote sensing of coronal mass ejection magnetic fields for space weather forecasting.
Abstract
The goal of this project is to use enhanced remote sensing capabilities for measuring the speed and magnetic field characteristics of Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) originating from the Sun, which can adversely affect space weather and jeopardise space-based assets. The focus is on advancing methods to determine the magnetic field strength and orientation of CMEs, crucial for predicting their impact on Earth s system, and safeguarding human life and critical infrastructure in space. The key observational constraint for the arrival time of a CME is its propagation speed, and the key determinant of the geoeffectiveness is the strength and orientation of the CME s magnetic field. However, the challenging nature of measuring these parameters in the dynamic inner-heliosphere necessitates innovative remote-sensing techniques. The innovative remote sensing capabilities we will develop exploit a range of observations to constrain the propagation speed, magnetic field strength and orientation of CMEs- (i) Interplanetary Scintillation observations, (ii) gyrosynchrotron radiation from the Sun, and (iii) Faraday rotation effects on light from distant sources observed in radio observations from archive Murchison Wide-field Array data and (when available) the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder. Ultimately, the enhanced capabilities will contribute to a deeper understanding of CMEs, enabling more precise forecasting of their arrival times and potential impact on Earth s space environment. This advancement is critical for improving space weather predictions and mitigating the risks posed by these disruptive space weather events.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Feb 05, 2025
- Source ID
- FA23862414036
Entities
People
- Hannah Schunker
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- United States Air Force
- University of Newcastle