9300832 Onsager The goal of this research is to develop a quantitative, 3-D model of electron and ion distribution functions in the open magnetic field regions of the magnetosphere. This research will contain two main components: 1) a comparison of the model results with spacecraft data, and 2) the extension of our current model to three spatial dimensions using more realistic electric fields. By comparing the model with data, we will evaluate its predictive capabilities and identify additional physical processes that could be added. This GEM model will be ideally suited for detailed comparisons of multiple spacecraft data, as will be obtained later this decade with the launch of FREJA, WIND, POLAR, FAST, CLUSTER, etc. The model will also be designed to interface with 3-D global models. These global models will provide magnetic and electric fields used for our particle mapping in the magnetosphere, while the distribution functions obtained from our model will augment the global modelling results. Our mode will provide an important link between the detailed particle measurements made by spacecraft and the global magnetospheric/solar wind properties. As such, it will serve as an important component of the Geospace Global Circulation Model envisioned by the GEM research community. ***
