Abstract
The Earth-Sun Lagrangian point 4 is a meta-stable location at 1 au from
the Sun, 60° ahead of Earth’s orbit. It has an uninterrupted view of the
solar photosphere from E30 to W150, centered on the Earth’s nominal
magnetic field connection to the Sun. Such a mission on its own would
serve as a solar remote sensing observatory that would oversee the
entire solar radiation hemisphere (SRH) with significant relevance for
human exploration of the Moon and Mars. In combination with
appropriately planned observatories at L1 and L5, the three spacecraft
would provide 300° longitude coverage of photospheric magnetic field
structure, and allow continuous viewing of both solar poles, with
>3.6° elevation. Ideally, the L4 and L5 missions would
orbit the Sun with a 7.2° inclination out of the heliographic equator,
14.5° out of the ecliptic plane. We discuss the impact of extending
solar magnetic field observations in both longitude and latitude to
improve global solar wind modeling and, with the development of local
helioseismology, the potential for long-term solar activity forecasting.
Such a mission would provide a unique opportunity for interplanetary and
interstellar dust science. It would significantly add to reliability of
operational observations on fast coronal mass ejections directed at
Earth and for human Mars explorers on their round-trip journey. The L4
mission concept is technically feasible, and is scientifically
compelling.