Accurate in situ Electron-Density & Magnetic-Field Values at IMAGE 
Using RPI

Robert F. Benson, NASA/GSFC


The Radio Plasma Imager (RPI) on the IMAGE satellite is able to
accurately measure the electron number density Ne and magnetic-field
strength |B| in the outer magnetosphere (~ 6 to 8 RE).  These
magnetospheric physical parameters are determined to high accuracy
(|B| ~ 0.1%, Ne ~ 1%) from the plasma resonances stimulated by RPI,
during high frequency-resolution resonance-sounding operations in the
apogee portion of each orbit, augmented by radio dynamic spectra
produced from passive RPI operations. It will be possible to make
such measurements from polar to equatorial regions, to compare these
observations with existing models, and to relate the observed
difference between quiet and disturbed periods to changes in
fundamental solar-wind parameters.

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Sun-Earth Connection Seminar Series, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center 
May 30, 2003 at 12:00 Noon