Research output: Book/Report/Proceedings › Other report
Research output: Book/Report/Proceedings › Other report
}
TY - BOOK
T1 - Fundamental Space Physics in Uranus’ Magnetosphere
T2 - White paper contribution to the Decadal Survey for Solar and Space Physics (Heliophysics) 2024-2033
AU - Arridge, Chris
AU - Xystouris, George
AU - Cochrane, Corey
AU - Cohen, Ian
AU - DiBraccio, Gina
AU - Kollmann, P.
AU - Lamy, Laurent
AU - Masters, Adam
AU - Paty, Carol
AU - Solomonidou, Anezina
AU - Stallard, Tom
AU - Styczinski , Marshall
AU - Sulaiman, Ali
PY - 2023/7/31
Y1 - 2023/7/31
N2 - Uranus is one of the most under-explored and least understood planetary magnetospheres in our Solar System yet the unique system geometry and ambient solar wind conditions conspire to produce a system that is fundamentally different to other planetary magnetospheres in our Solar System. Understanding from Earth’s magnetosphere provides partial or only qualitative explanations for some features observed in Voyager 2 data and in some cases cannot explain the data, highlighting fundamental gaps in our understanding. This demonstrates that there are a range of key questions in heliophysics that are best addressed at targets other than the terrestrial magnetosphere and interplanetary/interstellar space. A Uranus Flagship mission has been identified as a top priority in the Planetary Decadal Survey and will arrive during equinox conditions at Uranus. This will provide an opportunity to study a pole-on magnetosphere over an extended period of time, studying its dynamics, diurnal variability, and evolution as season progresses towards solstice with a return to Voyager 2-like conditions. Uranus is a unique natural laboratory for testing and developing fundamental theories of space physics that will provide insight into universal magnetospheric processes in our solar system and beyond. In this White Paper we urge Heliophysics to support such a Flagship mission which will provide new insights into how magnetospheres work and important data on the outer heliosphere.
AB - Uranus is one of the most under-explored and least understood planetary magnetospheres in our Solar System yet the unique system geometry and ambient solar wind conditions conspire to produce a system that is fundamentally different to other planetary magnetospheres in our Solar System. Understanding from Earth’s magnetosphere provides partial or only qualitative explanations for some features observed in Voyager 2 data and in some cases cannot explain the data, highlighting fundamental gaps in our understanding. This demonstrates that there are a range of key questions in heliophysics that are best addressed at targets other than the terrestrial magnetosphere and interplanetary/interstellar space. A Uranus Flagship mission has been identified as a top priority in the Planetary Decadal Survey and will arrive during equinox conditions at Uranus. This will provide an opportunity to study a pole-on magnetosphere over an extended period of time, studying its dynamics, diurnal variability, and evolution as season progresses towards solstice with a return to Voyager 2-like conditions. Uranus is a unique natural laboratory for testing and developing fundamental theories of space physics that will provide insight into universal magnetospheric processes in our solar system and beyond. In this White Paper we urge Heliophysics to support such a Flagship mission which will provide new insights into how magnetospheres work and important data on the outer heliosphere.
U2 - 10.3847/25c2cfeb.15e9f2c8
DO - 10.3847/25c2cfeb.15e9f2c8
M3 - Other report
BT - Fundamental Space Physics in Uranus’ Magnetosphere
PB - American Astronomical Society
ER -