Proposed Priority Science Operations Topic

Topic 12: 'WIND Perigee Pass with good positioning of GEOTAIL and IMP-8'


Topic Description

On days 251-253, the WIND spacecraft will be pass ing through the Earth's magnetotail during its perigee pass. From about 12 UT on 252, GEOTAIL is also positioned towards the central plane of the tail with IMP-8 in the northern lobe. This represents an ideal configuration of ISTP spacecraft as, in addition, POLAR will be imaging the aurora throughout the interval of interest.

EPOCH/ORBIT CHARACTERISTICS

Sept. 8-10, 1997.
WIND through the Earth's magnetotail, GEOTAIL located towards the central plane of the tail, IMP-8 in the northern lobe, and POLAR imaging the aurora.

POLAR DATA REQUIRED

PIXIE, UVI, VIS and CEPPAD to provide ENA if a substorm occurs

POLAR DE-SPUN PLATFORM OPERATIONS

Platform pointing towards the nightside to allow maximum imaging of the midnight auroral region

OTHER ISTP MISSIONS/ISTRUMENTS REQUIREMENTS

SuperDARN to be operating i n common mode and Sondrestrom operating ~ 12 UT, 252 until ~ 6 UT, 253

Topic Proposed by: Nicky Fox

e-mail: nicola.fox@gsfc.nasa.gov