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A Multi-purpose Heliophysics L4 Mission
  • +13
  • Arik Posner,
  • Charles Nickolos Arge,
  • Jan Staub,
  • Orville C StCyr,
  • David C Folta,
  • Sami K. Solanki,
  • Roelf Du Toit Strauss,
  • Frederic Effenberger,
  • Achim Gandorfer,
  • Bernd Heber,
  • Carl John Henney,
  • Johann Hirzberger,
  • Shaela Jones,
  • Patrick Kuehl,
  • Olga Malandraki,
  • Veerle J Sterken
Arik Posner
NASA/HQ

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Charles Nickolos Arge
NASA GSFC
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Jan Staub
Max-Planck-Institut fuer Sonnensystemforschung
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Orville C StCyr
Universities Space Research Association
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David C Folta
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
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Sami K. Solanki
Max-Planck-Institute for Solar System Research
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Roelf Du Toit Strauss
North-West University
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Frederic Effenberger
Stanford University
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Achim Gandorfer
Max-Planck-Institut fuer Sonnensystemforschung
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Bernd Heber
Christian-Albrechts-Universität Kiel
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Carl John Henney
AFRL
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Johann Hirzberger
Max-Planck-Institut fuer Sonnensystemforschung
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Shaela Jones
NASA GSFC
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Patrick Kuehl
Christian-Albrechts-Universitaet Kiel
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Olga Malandraki
IAASARS, National Observatory of Athens
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Veerle J Sterken
Eidgenoessische Technische Hochschule
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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.