Date of Award
3-10-2010
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Applied Physics
Department
Department of Engineering Physics
First Advisor
Ariel O. Acebal, PhD.
Abstract
Current Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF) models are evaluated in this study to determine which model(s) perform an accurate representation of this magnetic structure. These IMF models include the Parker Spiral model, the Potential Field Source Surface (PFSS) model, the Wang-Sheeley-Arge (WSA) model and the ENLIL model. Impulsive Solar Energetic Particles (SEPs) are used as tracers to determine the magnetic structure of the IMF and provide source locations for model comparisons. Each individual model is analyzed, compared to the identified solar source region and a longitude/latitude offset of these traces assigned. The model connection of the PFSS and Parker models is found to provide the lowest latitude and longitude offsets from the identified source regions with RMS values of 21.9 and 18.5 respectfully. Model discrepancies are investigated and suggestions are made to improve model tracing performance.
AFIT Designator
AFIT-GAP-ENP-10-M05
DTIC Accession Number
Not in DTIC
Recommended Citation
Elliott, Brian P., "Evaluation of Interplanetary Magnetic Field Tracing Models Using Impulsive SEPs" (2010). Theses and Dissertations. 2166.
https://scholar.afit.edu/etd/2166