FRoST · The Foreshock and its Role in Solar-Terrestrial relations
Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
- Duration
- 2017-03-15 → 2019-03-14
- EU contribution
- €191,326
- Participants
- 2
- Scheme
- MSCA-IF-EF-ST
Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.
Results in brief
The Foreshock and its Role in Solar-Terrestrial relations
In our modern society relying massively on space-based assets, the effects of solar activity on near-Earth space have become a major concern. Just like hurricanes on the ground, solar storms can disturb the conditions in space and cause harmful space weather. The vulnerability of critical technologies such as global navigation satellite systems or power grids calls for reliable forecasting of adverse space weather, so that its effects can be mitigated. One of the main sources of adverse space weather at Earth are magnetic clouds, giant clouds of solar particles and magnetic fields originating from tremendous eruptions in the Sun’s atmosphere. Understanding how these magnetic clouds affect the different regions of near-Earth space is key to accurate space weather forecasting. In FRoST, we focus on the interaction of magnetic clouds with the first region of near-Earth space that they encounter on their journey earthward: the foreshock, a region characterised by intense electromagnetic wave activity [see Figure]. Recent studies have shown that processes occurring in the foreshock can have important effects in the Earth’s magnetic domain, the magnetosphere, and even down to the Earth’s surface. Our main goal with this project is to assess for the first time whether the foreshock plays a significant role in the interaction of magnetic clouds with near-Earth space, and thus whether it should be taken into account in space weather models. Our results show that magnetic clouds affect strongly the foreshock, and in particular the properties of waves in this region. However, these changes do not appear to affect notably the global intensity of the disturbances triggered by the magnetic clouds closer to Earth. The foreshock may have more localised effects, for example enhancing wave activity in some parts of the magnetosphere. This needs to be further investigated if refined, more regional, space weather forecasts are to be developed.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
There is a critical need for accurate space weather forecasting, due to the growing use of technologies vulnerable to space weather hazards. However, refining the current models requires a more detailed understanding of solar-terrestrial relations, especially during extreme events such as magnetic clouds (MCs) which drive the fiercest storms at Earth. To this end, FRoST will investigate a previously unexplored aspect of the interaction of MCs with the terrestrial environment: the role played by the foreshock, a turbulent region extending upstream of the Earth's bow shock. The objectives of FRoST are (1) to characterise the foreshock properties during MC events, (2) to investigate how these alter in turn the properties of the region at the interface between the solar wind and the magnetosphere, the magnetosheath, and (3) assess whether the influence of the foreshock can be significant and thus should be included in space weather models. To undertake this challenging task, we will take on an interdisciplinary approach, combining numerical simulations and spacecraft observations. This project is now made possible by the extensive datasets acquired in the recent years and by the pioneering Vlasiator simulation, developed by the Host Group, which is the world's only global hybrid-Vlasov simulation and offers an unprecedented description of the near-Earth environment. Through FRoST, the Experienced Researcher (ER) will develop her skills in numerical physics, while bringing to the Host Group her expertise in data analysis. This diversification of her competencies will significantly increase the ER's career prospects. The Supervisor's strong record of scientific excellence and experience in mentoring early-career researchers will further ensure the successful execution of FRoST. This project has the potential to reinforce the position of Europe at the forefront of numerical space physics, and will contribute to the European efforts in space weather forecasting.
Original text from CORDIS.
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Data: CORDIS, © European Union