NSF Org:	OPP Office of Polar Programs (OPP)
Recipient:	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES
Initial Amendment Date:	August 5, 2004
Latest Amendment Date:	July 18, 2005
Award Number:	0425320
Award Instrument:	Continuing Grant
Program Manager:	William J. Wiseman, Jr. OPP  Office of Polar Programs (OPP) GEO  Directorate for Geosciences
Start Date:	August 15, 2004
End Date:	July 31, 2006 (Estimated)
Total Intended Award Amount:	$180,000.00
Total Awarded Amount to Date:	$180,000.00
Funds Obligated to Date:	FY 2004 = $90,000.00 FY 2005 = $90,000.00
History of Investigator:	Robert McPherron (Principal Investigator) rmcpherron@igpp.ucla.edu
Recipient Sponsored Research Office:	University of California-Los Angeles 10889 WILSHIRE BLVD STE 700 LOS ANGELES CA  US  90024-4200 (310)794-0102
Sponsor Congressional District:	36
Primary Place of Performance:	University of California-Los Angeles 10889 WILSHIRE BLVD STE 700 LOS ANGELES CA  US  90024-4200
Primary Place of Performance Congressional District:	36
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI):	RN64EPNH8JC6
Parent UEI:
NSF Program(s):	ANT Astrophys & Geospace Sci, ANS-Arctic Natural Sciences, MAGNETOSPHERIC PHYSICS
Primary Program Source:	app-0105  0100CYXXDB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
Program Reference Code(s):	0000, 1079, OTHR
Program Element Code(s):	511500, 528000, 575000
Award Agency Code:	4900
Fund Agency Code:	4900
Assistance Listing Number(s):	47.078

ABSTRACT

Funds are provided to quantify the dependence of the polar cap index (PC) on solar wind parameters, and thereby to determine the best functional form for PC, by calculating response filters based on singular value decomposition theory. At present, PC values are derived by using a scheme that aims to force agreement, on average, between PC and the solar wind motional electric field. Preliminary examination of the derivation scheme has revealed problems in how PC is defined. These problems may actually degrade the usefulness of the index in research studies and in an operational sense as a space weather forecasting or nowcasting tool. In addition, PC will be used to estimate the level of solar wind driving force that leads to polar cap potential drop saturation and determine the relative contributions of Hall and field-aligned currents to polar magnetic field disturbance. An improved and consistent definition of PC, as is sought in this research, should allow improved nowcasting and short-term forecasting of space weather events known to interfere with radio communication, radars, and low-orbiting and geostationary satellites.

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