PSP SWEAP SPAN-A: Proton Distribution Moments from Parker Solar Probe

Partial moments of the proton distribution function measured by the Parker Solar Probe's SWEAP SPAN-A instrument. The data is provided by NASA's Parker Solar Probe Mission and the SWEAP team led by J. Kasper, with a last recorded metadata update on 2026-03 -13. The dataset contains 7-second resolution data in the instrument frame of reference.

Use Cases

• Modeling solar wind proton dynamics based on partial moment measurements.
• Analyzing plasma instrument field-of-view limitations based on the description's caveats.
• Correlating proton behavior with other spacecraft measurements based on the time-series nature.

Strengths

• Data originates from the NASA Parker Solar Probe mission, a primary source for near-Sun measurements.
• Provides 7-second temporal resolution for high-frequency plasma analysis.
• Includes specific 'Rules of the Road' governing data use and citation, ensuring proper attribution.

Limitations

• Description metadata is limited; actual data quality requires manual inspection after download.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• The description notes the full ion distribution is typically not in the instrument's field of view, indicating incomplete sampling.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Parker Solar Probe Mission, SWEAP team.

Collection Method

Measured by the SPAN-A instrument on the Parker Solar Probe spacecraft.

Time Range

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Freshness

Last updated 2026 03-13 07:54:59.680253; freshness should be verified.

Geography

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