[论文解读] A Space Weather Information Service Based Upon Remote and In-Situ Measurements of Coronal Mass Ejections Heading for Earth

Birgit Ritter, Arjan J. H. Meskers+9 more|arXiv (Cornell University)|Jan 1, 2015

Solar and Space Plasma Dynamics参考文献 38被引用 10

一句话总结

本文提出在0.72 AU处实施六颗航天器任务，通过结合原位测量与远程观测，提升对地球方向日冕物质抛射（CMEs）的空间天气预报能力。利用罗塞塔、金星快车和STEREO任务的成熟仪器，该任务可实现实时三维追踪CMEs，延长预报预警时间，并通过多点原位数据与日冕仪观测改善建模效果。

ABSTRACT

The Earth’s magnetosphere is formed as a consequence of interaction between the planet’s magnetic field and the solar wind, a continuous plasma stream from the Sun. A number of different solar wind phenomena have been studied over the past 40 years with the intention of understanding and forecasting solar behavior. One of these phenomena in particular, Earth-bound interplanetary coronal mass ejections (CMEs), can significantly disturb the Earth’s magnetosphere for a short time and cause geomagnetic storms. This publication presents a mission concept consisting of six spacecraft that are equally spaced in a heliocentric orbit at 0.72 AU. These spacecraft will monitor the plasma properties, the magnetic field’s orientation and magnitude, and the 3D-propagation trajectory of CMEs heading for Earth. The primary objective of this mission is to increase space weather forecasting time by means of a near real-time information service, that is based upon in-situ and remote measurements of the aforementioned CME properties. The obtained data can additionally be used for updating scientific models. This update is the mission’s secondary objective. In-situ measurements are performed using a Solar Wind Analyzer instrumentation package and fluxgate magnetometers, while for remote measurements coronagraphs are employed. The proposed instruments originate from other space missions with the intention to reduce mission costs and to streamline the mission design process. Communication with the six identical spacecraft is realized via a deep space network consisting of six ground stations. They provide an information service that is in uninterrupted contact with the spacecraft, allowing for continuous space weather monitoring. A dedicated data processing center will handle all the data, and then forward the processed data to the SSA Space Weather Coordination Center which will, in turn, inform the general public through a space weather forecast. The data processing center will additionally archive the data for the scientific community. The proposed concept mission allows for major advances in space weather forecasting time and the scientific modeling of space weather.

研究动机与目标

• 通过结合原位与远程观测，监测地球方向CMEs，延长空间天气预报预警时间。
• 通过在0.72 AU部署多颗航天器实现多点采样，提升CME三维重构精度。
• 通过提供高保真原位与远程数据，支持CME结构与传播过程的科学建模。
• 为未来载人深空任务提供360度预警能力。
• 通过重力助推飞越，利用多点原位测量研究金星的磁场。

提出的方法

• 任务采用六颗相同的航天器，在0.72 AU的日心轨道上等距分布，实现CME的三维追踪。
• 原位测量采用太阳风分析仪（来自太阳轨道器任务）和通量门磁力计（来自金星快车任务）。
• 远程测量通过日冕仪（来自STEREO任务）实现，用于观测内日球层中的CMEs。
• 数据通过由六个地面站组成的专用深空网络传输，每个站配备15米口径抛物面天线，确保持续通信。
• 中央数据处理中心接收、处理并归档数据，随后将数据转发至空间态势感知空间天气协调中心，用于公众预报。
• 该系统整合其他同期任务的数据，以增强太阳物理理解与模型验证。

实验结果

研究问题

• RQ1 多点原位测量在多大程度上可提升行星际日冕物质抛射（ICMEs）的三维重构精度？
• RQ2 通过在0.72 AU结合原位与远程探测监测CMEs，可实现的最大预报预警时间延长是多少？
• RQ3 CME在内日球层传播过程中，其磁场与等离子体特性如何演化？
• RQ4 以往任务的成熟仪器在多大程度上可降低任务成本并加速设计进程？
• RQ5 在金星处的重力助推飞越是否可实现对行星磁层环境的多点原位测量？

主要发现

• 该任务概念可实现对CMEs的实时监测，最小可观测角度范围达60度，显著延长预报预警时间。
• 通过沿CME轨迹多点采样，任务为磁通绳几何结构提供了三维约束，显著降低全球CME结构的不确定性。
• 采用罗塞塔、金星快车与STEREO任务的成熟仪器可降低任务成本并简化设计流程，无需开发新型仪器。
• 配备六个地面站的深空网络确保了不间断通信与持续数据流，支持实时空间天气服务。
• 该任务支持360度预警系统，为未来深空载人任务中保护宇航员提供关键数据支持。
• 金星重力助推飞行使对金星磁场的原位测量成为可能，为研究其磁层环境提供了独特机遇。