Multipoint Investigations of Magnetic Storms and Radiation Belts

Understanding the structure and dynamics of Earth's radiation belts, and their relation to magnetic storms and solar wind drivers, is a long-standing challenge with important scientific value and significant practical implications. From studying Earth's radiation belts, we can expand our knowledge about universal processes at work in other cosmic systems, and we can develop tools to forecast the evolution and response of the radiation environment that affects satellites and humans in space. While recent emphasis on this topic has resulted in new theories, models, and observations; there remain many outstanding questions and unresolved issues. The solution to many of the outstanding questions can only be achieved through multipoint measurements and coordinated modeling efforts. For example, the multipoint technique is critical for understanding whether or not particles in the outer radiation belts are energized by a radial diffusion process or local acceleration. The focus of this presentation will be to provide an overview of recent multipoint research on storms and radiation belts; discuss the outstanding achievements and remaining problems; and to describe future programs and opportunities dedicated to expand our knowledge and understanding of this challenging problem.