Viking in the plasma universe

• Realizing that the magnetosphere cannot be understood until the electric field is mapped, Viking has placed emphasis on electric field measurements. Because energy is transferred from the solar wind mainly through electric currents in the active plasma regions, Viking's orbit is selected so as to include as much of the active regions as possible. The real-time presentation of the results makes it possible to modify the observations as soon as interesting events are seen. As several of the project leaders have experience in plasma laboratory experiments, Viking can be characterized as a new type of space plasma experiment.Some of the results of the Viking mission are important as a basis for drawing the circuit of energy transfer from the solar wind to the magnetosphere and ionosphere (Figure 1) and for understanding the general properties of collisionless plasmas in space (Table 1). They will constitute a platform for a systematic exploration of the plasma universe (Figure 2), which will have an impact on our views on cosmogony and cosmology.

Subject headings

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Fysik -- Fusion, plasma och rymdfysik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Physical Sciences -- Fusion, Plasma and Space Physics (hsv//eng)

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)