Energetic neutral atom imaging with the Polar CEPPAD/IPS instrument: Initial forward modeling results
Abstract
Although the primary function of the CEPPAD/IPS instrument on Polar is the measurement of energetic ions in-situ, it has also proven to be a very capable Energetic Neutral Atom (ENA) imager. Raw ENA images are currently being constructed on a routine basis with a temporal resolution of minutes during both active and quiet times. However, while analyses of these images by themselves provide much information on the spatial distribution and dynamics of the energetic ion population in the ring current, detailed modeling is required to extract the actual ion distributions. In this paper, we present the initial results of forward modeling an IPS ENA image obtained during a small geo-magnetic storm on June 9, 1997. The equatorial ion distribution inferred with this technique reproduces the expected large noon/midnight and dawn/dusk asymmetries. The limitations of the model are discussed and a number of modifications to the basic forward modeling technique are proposed which should significantly improve its performance in future studies.
Department
Physics
Publication Date
12-31-1999
Journal Title
Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Part C: Solar, Terrestrial & Planetary Science
Publisher
Elsevier
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
10.1016/S1464-1917(98)00029-4
Document Type
Article
Recommended Citation
Henderson, M. G.; Reeves, G. D.; Moore, K. R.; Spence, Harlan E.; Jorgensen, A. M.; Fennell, J. F.; Blake, J. B.; and Roelof, E. C., "Energetic neutral atom imaging with the Polar CEPPAD/IPS instrument: Initial forward modeling results" (1999). Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Part C: Solar, Terrestrial & Planetary Science. 247.
https://scholars.unh.edu/physics_facpub/247
Rights
Copyright © 1999, Elsevier