Cluster Multi-Spacecraft Studies of Energy and Mass Transport in the Magnetosphere

With this project, we plan to utilize scientific data from the Cluster mission in order to obtain a better understanding of energy transport and physical processes in the terrestrial magnetosphere. Specifically, we plan to address the following scien ce issues : a) Try to estimate the net loss of plasma due to ionospheric outflow. b) Investigate ion composition changes and their role for instabilities and processes in the magnetotail. c) Use Cluster's multi spacecraft capabilities to investigate the n ature of discontinuities in the solar wind, and their role for space weather forecasting. Another important element of the project is also to actively contribute with support and supervision to MSc. and PhD. students, and to ensure continued cooperation between Norwegian Cluster groups at the University of Bergen, University of Oslo, the Norwegian Defense Research Establishment and international science communities involved in the Cluster mission.