Bibliography

Low-Latitude Zonal Ion Drifts and Their Relationship With Subauroral Polarization Streams and Auroral Return Flows During Intense Magnetic Storms

We analyze horizontal plasma drifts measured by the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program satellites during two intense magnetic storms. It is found, for the first time, that westward plasma flows associated with subauroral polarization streams (SAPS) in the dusk-evening sector penetrate continuously to equatorial latitudes. The westward ion drifts between subauroral and equatorial latitudes occur nearly simultaneously. The latitudinal profile of the westward ion drifts at low latitudes (approximately within ±30° magnetic latitude [MLat]) is relatively flat, and the westward ion drifts at the magnetic equator reach 200–300 m s−1. In the dawn-morning sector, eastward ion drifts at subauroral latitudes are also SAPS. The storm-time dawnside auroral boundary moves to ∼±55° MLat, and the dawnside SAPS penetrate to ∼±20° MLat at 0930 local time. A dawnside SAPS flow channel appears to exist, although it is not as well defined as the duskside SAPS flow channel. Thermospheric wind data measured by the Challenging Minisatellite Payload satellite are analyzed, and zonal disturbance winds are derived. Disturbance winds can reach equatorial latitudes rapidly near midnight but are limited to ±40° geographic latitude or higher near noon. The effects of disturbance winds on the zonal ion drifts at middle and low latitudes are discussed. It is suggested that both the westward ion drifts at middle and low latitudes in the dusk-evening sector and the eastward ion drifts at middle and lower latitudes in the dawn-morning sector are caused primarily by penetration of the SAPS and auroral electric fields.

Huang, Chao-Song; Zhang, Yongliang; Wang, Wenbin; Lin, Dong; Wu, Qian;

Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics      Published on:

YEAR: 2021     DOI: 10.1029/2021JA030001

Electric field; Ionosphere; ionospheric plasma drift; penetration electric field; Subauroral Polarization Streams; thermospheric wind

Large variations in the thermosphere and ionosphere during minor geomagnetic disturbances in April 2002 and their association with IMF B _y

We investigate the variations in the thermosphere and ionosphere using multi-instrument observations during the April 2002 period, with a particular focus on periods during small geomagnetic disturbances. Large and long-lasting reductions in the daytime electron density were observed at midlatitudes by incoherent scatter radars, ionosondes, and GPS receivers. These reductions reached 30\textendash50\% and were observed over an extended longitudinal area. They propagated to middle latitudes (35\textendash40\textdegreeN) in the case of a weak geomagnetic disturbance (K_p = 3-) and to low latitudes (0\textendash10\textdegreeN) in the case of a stronger disturbance (K_p = 5-). Data from the GUVI instrument aboard the TIMED satellite reveal a reduction in the daytime O/N₂ ratio in the coincident area. Similar decreases are also predicted by the TIMEGCM/ASPEN model in both O/N₂ ratio and electron density, though the magnitude of the decrease from the model is smaller than observed. We suggest that these ionospheric and thermospheric disturbances result from high-latitude energy input and efficient transport of regions with reduced O/N₂ to lower latitudes. We discuss the possible role of a strong positive B_y component of the interplanetary magnetic field in the transport of regions with reduced O/N₂.

Goncharenko, L.; Salah, J.; Crowley, G.; Paxton, L.; Zhang, Y.; Coster, A.; Rideout, W.; Huang, C.; Zhang, S.; Reinisch, B.; Taran, V.;

Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research      Published on: 03/2006

YEAR: 2006     DOI: 10.1029/2004JA010683

Electron density; thermospheric composition; thermospheric wind