HR: 0800h
AN: SM21A-0453    [Abstracts]
TI: IMAGE - POLAR Concurrent Plasmapause Observations
AU: * Adrian, M L
EM: Mark.L.Adrian@msfc.nasa.gov
AF: Center for Space Plasma and Aeronomic Research, University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL 35899 United States
AU: Gallagher, D L
EM: Dennis.L.Gallagher@nasa.gov
AF: Science Directorate, SD50, NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, AL 35812 United States
AU: Craven, P D
EM: Paul.Craven@nasa.gov
AF: Science Directorate, SD50, NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, AL 35812 United States
AB: Two critical issues that influence the quantitative scientific value of the IMAGE Ultraviolet Camera (EUV) are: (1) the accuracy with which EUV imaging can be used to determine the position/location of the plasmapause; and (2) the sensitivity threshold of the EUV instrument. Previous studies have addressed these issues via correlation of EUV-extracted plasmapause locations with steep density gradient plasmapause encounters detected by the IMAGE Radio Plasma Imager (PRI) pre-/post-EUV observation, employing the caveat of corotation. Here, these issues are addressed through analysis of concurrent remote observations of the plasmasphere/plasmapause made by IMAGE EUV with simultaneous in-situ observations acquired by the Polar/TIDE/EFI instruments. Preliminary results are presented with regards to the validity of the extraction of the plasmapause using EUV and initial in-flight, in-situ estimates of the EUV sensitivity threshold. Early estimates suggest a sensitivity threshold for EUV of 25 $\pm$ 15 cm$^{-3}.
DE: 2730 Magnetosphere--inner
DE: 2740 Magnetospheric configuration and dynamics
DE: 2768 Plasmasphere
SC: SPA-Magnetospheric Physics [SM]
MN: 2004 AGU Fall Meeting