ACE SWEPAM Solar Wind Ion and Electron Measurements

Solar wind plasma electron and ion flux measurements from the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) satellite's SWEPAM instrument. Data provides detailed solar wind conditions every minute, with parameters averaged over intervals from 64 seconds to 27 days. The dataset is produced by the SCIOPS organization.

Use Cases

• Correlate Proton Speed (VP) and Proton Density (np) with geomagnetic activity indices for space weather forecasting.
• Analyze the Proton Velocity Vector in GSE, RTN, and GSM coordinates to study solar wind flow direction and structure.
• Investigate solar wind composition and heating processes using the Ratio of Alpha Density to proton Density (nHe/nP) and the Radial Component of the Proton Temperature (TP,rr).
• Examine solar wind variability across different time scales using the 64-second ion, 128-second electron, hourly, daily, and 27-day averaged data products.

Strengths

• Provides solar wind parameters at a high temporal resolution of one minute.
• Includes multiple averaged data products (64-second, 128-second, hourly, daily, 27-day) for analysis at different scales.
• Measures ion energies between 0.26 and 36 KeV and electron energies between 1 and 1350 eV.

Limitations

• Electron Temperature data is noted as not yet available, limiting complete plasma analysis.
• Specific row count, total size, and precise temporal coverage are unknown from the description.
• Data is organized into 27-day Bartels Rotations, which may not align with standard calendar periods for analysis.

Provenance

Source

Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) satellite, Solar Wind Electron, Proton, and Alpha Monitor (SWEPAM) instrument.

Collection Method

Measurements from electrostatic analyzer sensors on the rotating spacecraft, telemetered to ground.

Time Range

Data organized into consecutive 27-day periods (Bartels Rotations).

Geography

Measurements taken at the ACE satellite's location at the Sun-Earth L1 Lagrange point.