On the error estimation of multi-spacecraft timing method

The multi-spacecraft timing method, a data analysis technique based on four-point measurements to obtain the normal vector and velocity of an observed boundary, has been widely applied to various discontinuities in the solar wind and the magnetosphere studies. In this paper, we perform simulatio...

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Main Authors:	X.-Z. Zhou, Z. Y. Pu, Q.-G. Zong, P. Song, S. Y. Fu, J. Wang, H. Zhang
Format:	Article
Language:	English
Published:	Copernicus Publications 2009-10-01
Series:	Annales Geophysicae
Online Access:	https://www.ann-geophys.net/27/3949/2009/angeo-27-3949-2009.pdf

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spelling	doaj-a7fcd779ab0241a0a56a467eb7e8c2dd2020-11-24T21:17:16ZengCopernicus PublicationsAnnales Geophysicae0992-76891432-05762009-10-01273949395510.5194/angeo-27-3949-2009On the error estimation of multi-spacecraft timing methodX.-Z. Zhou0X.-Z. Zhou1Z. Y. Pu2Q.-G. Zong3Q.-G. Zong4P. Song5S. Y. Fu6J. Wang7H. Zhang8Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USAInstitute of Space Physics and Applied Technology, Peking University, Beijing, ChinaInstitute of Space Physics and Applied Technology, Peking University, Beijing, ChinaInstitute of Space Physics and Applied Technology, Peking University, Beijing, ChinaCenter for Atmospheric Research, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA, USACenter for Atmospheric Research, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA, USAInstitute of Space Physics and Applied Technology, Peking University, Beijing, ChinaInstitute of Space Physics and Applied Technology, Peking University, Beijing, ChinaInstitute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USAThe multi-spacecraft timing method, a data analysis technique based on four-point measurements to obtain the normal vector and velocity of an observed boundary, has been widely applied to various discontinuities in the solar wind and the magnetosphere studies. In this paper, we perform simulations to analyze the errors of the timing method by specifying the error sources to the uncertainties in the determination of the time delays between each spacecraft pair. It is shown that the timing method may have large errors if either the spacecraft tetrahedron is largely elongated and/or flattened, or the discontinuity moves much slower than the constellation itself. The results, therefore, suggest that some of the applications of the timing method require reexamination with special caution, in particular for the studies of the slow-moving discontinuities associated with, for example, the plasmaspheric plumes.https://www.ann-geophys.net/27/3949/2009/angeo-27-3949-2009.pdf
collection	DOAJ
language	English
format	Article
sources	DOAJ
author	X.-Z. Zhou X.-Z. Zhou Z. Y. Pu Q.-G. Zong Q.-G. Zong P. Song S. Y. Fu J. Wang H. Zhang
spellingShingle	X.-Z. Zhou X.-Z. Zhou Z. Y. Pu Q.-G. Zong Q.-G. Zong P. Song S. Y. Fu J. Wang H. Zhang On the error estimation of multi-spacecraft timing method Annales Geophysicae
author_facet	X.-Z. Zhou X.-Z. Zhou Z. Y. Pu Q.-G. Zong Q.-G. Zong P. Song S. Y. Fu J. Wang H. Zhang
author_sort	X.-Z. Zhou
title	On the error estimation of multi-spacecraft timing method
title_short	On the error estimation of multi-spacecraft timing method
title_full	On the error estimation of multi-spacecraft timing method
title_fullStr	On the error estimation of multi-spacecraft timing method
title_full_unstemmed	On the error estimation of multi-spacecraft timing method
title_sort	on the error estimation of multi-spacecraft timing method
publisher	Copernicus Publications
series	Annales Geophysicae
issn	0992-7689 1432-0576
publishDate	2009-10-01
description	The multi-spacecraft timing method, a data analysis technique based on four-point measurements to obtain the normal vector and velocity of an observed boundary, has been widely applied to various discontinuities in the solar wind and the magnetosphere studies. In this paper, we perform simulations to analyze the errors of the timing method by specifying the error sources to the uncertainties in the determination of the time delays between each spacecraft pair. It is shown that the timing method may have large errors if either the spacecraft tetrahedron is largely elongated and/or flattened, or the discontinuity moves much slower than the constellation itself. The results, therefore, suggest that some of the applications of the timing method require reexamination with special caution, in particular for the studies of the slow-moving discontinuities associated with, for example, the plasmaspheric plumes.
url	https://www.ann-geophys.net/27/3949/2009/angeo-27-3949-2009.pdf
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On the error estimation of multi-spacecraft timing method

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