Reconstruction of the plasmasphere from Moon-based EUV images

• Published in: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics 2011-11, Vol.116 (A11), p.n/a
• Main Authors: He, Fei, Zhang, Xiao-Xin, Chen, Bo, Fok, Mei-Ching
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Algorithms; Atmospheric sciences; genetic algorithm; Magnetism; minimum L algorithm; Moon; Moon-based EUV images; Plasma physics; reconstruction; Scientific apparatus & instruments; Space; Statistical models
• ISSN: 0148-0227; 2169-9380; 2156-2202; 2169-9402
• DOI: 10.1029/2010JA016364

A two‐step algorithm for plasmasphere reconstruction from images obtained from the Moon‐based extreme ultraviolet (EUV) imager on the Chang'e‐3 mission is described and illustrated using simulation data obtained from a dynamic global core plasma model (DGCPM). According to the line of sight (LOS) integration patterns in Moon‐based EUV imaging and the outline characteristics of the images, the equatorial plane plasmapause is reconstructed with the Minimum L Algorithm by adopting a magnetic dipole approximation. Having obtained the plasmapause locations, the quasi three‐dimensional (3‐D) plasmasphere, which is put into the Genetic Algorithm (GA) as an initial guess, is constructed with a statistical model assuming that the density along a field line is a constant. In this way, the plasmaspheric structure and the quasi 3‐D plasmaspheric density are extracted from the Moon‐based EUV images. This work provides a feasible and applicable method for data analysis of Moon‐based EUV imaging, which is to be realized on the Chang'e‐3 mission in the Second Phase of Chinese Lunar Exploration Program. Key Points Reconstruction of the plasmasphere from Moon‐based EUV images Minimum L algorithm to reconstruct the plasmapause Genetic algorithm to invert the plasmaspheric density distribution