Accurate in situ Electron-Density & Magnetic-Field Values at IMAGE Using RPI.

Robert F. Benson

The Radio Plasma Imager (RPI) on the IMAGE satellite is able to 
accurately measure the electron number density Ne and magnetic-field 
strength |B| in the outer magnetosphere (~ 6 to 8 RE).  These 
magnetospheric physical parameters are determined to high accuracy 
(|B| ~ 0.1%, Ne ~ 1%) from the plasma resonances stimulated by RPI, 
during high frequency-resolution resonance-sounding operations in the 
apogee portion of each orbit, augmented by radio dynamic spectra 
produced from passive RPI operations. It will be possible to make 
such measurements from polar to equatorial regions, to compare these 
observations with existing models, and to relate the observed 
difference between quiet and disturbed periods to changes in 
fundamental solar-wind parameters.