Long-Term Science Goals with In Situ Observations at the Sun-Earth Lagrange Point L4

• Published in: Journal of astronomy and space sciences Vol. 41; no. 1; pp. 1 - 15
• Main Authors: Dae-Young Lee, Rok-Soon Kim, Kyung-Eun Choi, Jungjoon Seough, Junga Hwang, Dooyoung Choi, Ji-Hyeon Yoo, Seunguk Lee, Sung Jun Noh, Jongho Seon, Kyung-Suk Cho, Kwangsun Ryu, Khan-Hyuk Kim, Jong-Dae Sohn, Jae-Young Kwak, Peter H. Yoon
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Korean
• Published: 2024
• Subjects: in situ observations; Sun-Earth Lagrange point L4; space radiation; space weather; solar wind
• ISSN: 2093-5587; 2093-1409

The Korean heliospheric community, led by the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI), is currently assessing the viability of deploying a spacecraft at the Sun-Earth Lagrange Point L4 in collaboration with National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The aim of this mission is to utilize a combination of remote sensing and in situ instruments for comprehensive observations, complementing the capabilities of the L1 and L5 observatories. The paper outlines longterm scientific objectives, underscoring the significance of multi-point in-situ observations to better understand critical heliospheric phenomena. These include coronal mass ejections, magnetic flux ropes, heliospheric current sheets, kinetic waves and instabilities, suprathermal electrons and solar energetic particle events, as well as remote detection of solar radiation phenomena. Furthermore, the mission's significance in advancing space weather prediction and space radiation exposure assessment models through the integration of L4 observations is discussed. This article is concluded with an emphasis on the potential of L4 observations to propel advancements in heliospheric science.