Density Variations Observable by Precision Satellite Orbits from CHAMP and GRACE

Details Density Variations Observable by Precision Satellite Orbits from CHAMP and GRACE Density Variations Observable by Precision Satellite Orbits from CHAMP and GRACE

Dec 2009

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2009agufmsa23a1457l&link_type=abstract

American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2009, abstract #SA23A-1457

Physics

[7969] Space Weather / Satellite Drag

Scientific paper

This research uses precision satellite orbits from the Challenging Minisatellite Payload (CHAMP) satellite and the Gravity Recovery And Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellites to produce a new data source for studying density variations that occur on time scales of less than a day. In this research, precision orbit derived densities are compared to ones derived from accelerometer data. In addition, the precision orbit derived densities are used to examine density variations that have been observed with accelerometer data in order to determine if these variations are observable. In particular, the research will examine the observability of coronal mass ejection (CME) effects, geomagnetic storm time changes and polar cusp features in accelerometer data. During specific coronal mass ejections, significant localized increases in density can be observed propagating from the lit side of the earth, where the CME impinges the atmosphere, over the poles, and towards the equator. One of the primary aims of this research is to determine if these types of phenomena are observable using precision orbit data. Geomagnetic storms have been observed causing increases to the global density, as well as causing global density values to become significantly more variable. Polar cusp features arise due to charged particles aligning with the Earth's magnetic field, and create highly localized increases in density near the geomagnetic poles. The precision orbit derived densities found in this research show remarkable improvement over the Jacchia model baseline densities, particularly in the case of the CHAMP satellite. This comparison is made by comparing the Jacchia baseline density model against the accelerometer derived densities in the same manner as the precision satellite orbits. Data taken from both GRACE satellites will be invaluable to assessing the precision of these measurements. The close proximity and nearly identical orbits of these two satellites give two independent data sets, both for accelerometer derived densities, and for precision orbit derivations. Additionally, CHAMP, GRACE, and data from additional satellites will be compared for given time spans, dependent on precision orbit data availability for additional satellites. This will provide a base of comparison for temporal variations across a range of altitudes and the accuracy of the given techniques, as well as expand the scope and range of satellites to which these techniques may be applied.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Density Variations Observable by Precision Satellite Orbits from CHAMP and GRACE does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Density Variations Observable by Precision Satellite Orbits from CHAMP and GRACE, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Density Variations Observable by Precision Satellite Orbits from CHAMP and GRACE will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1778760