This modeling working group provides the following modeling supports for the upcoming SMILE mission.
1. Grand modeling challenge: MHD model comparison and SXI requirements/goals
- unify the X-ray calculation method (same neutral density model, background, etc),
- check the model-to-model difference on SWCX signals and on the boundary locations (bow shock, magnetopause, and cusp)
- provide the MHD point of view on the range of X-ray signal strength.
- provide the range of the expected boundary locations under various solar wind flux.
- give a unified voice on the science requirements and goals (how high solar wind flux is needed to find the boundaries within 0.5RE resolution for 5 mins, or 0.2 RE resolution for 1 min?)
2. Boundary tracing from SXI data
- select one exemplary simulation results to test the boundary tracing techniques.
- test Anderson & Tianran (AT)’s magnetopause tracing method by using the SXI specification (orbit, field-of-view, backgrounds, noise, etc)
- test Michael & Hyunju (MH)’s magnetopause tracing method by using the same SXI specification.
- check validity of each methods and understand the pros and cons (I think both of our techniques can create synergy, validating each other’s results.)
- prepare a programing tool for the SXI data analysis
- develop and validate the tracing methods for other boundaries (bow shock and cusps)
3. Other science projects:
- investigate if small magnetosheath signatures such as HSJ are visible in the soft X-rays.
- investigate the magnetosphere - ionosphere coupling using Soft X-ray and aurora images