IMAGE Science Objectives
RPI observations:
- Plasma entry at the magnetopause
- Determine thickness of the magnetopause boundary layer at several locations simultaneously under variable
- Distinguish temporal and spatial variations
- Plasma entry via the polar cusp
- Obtain location, size, density profile of the polar cusp
- Distinguish temporal and spatial variations
RPI supporting observations:
- Plasma entry from the ionosphere: support LENA observations
- Measure plasma density profile: to provide ground truth for EUV observations
- Observe cusp shape: support cusp footprint observations by FUV
What are the dominant mechanisms for injecting plasma into the magnetosphere on substorm and magnetic storm time scales?