Statistical study of the effect of solar wind dynamic pressure fronts on the dayside and nightside ionospheric convection

2011 ◽  
Vol 116 (A10) ◽  
pp. n/a-n/a ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Boudouridis ◽  
L. R. Lyons ◽  
E. Zesta ◽  
J. M. Weygand ◽  
A. J. Ribeiro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Wind ◽  
Statistical Study ◽  
Dynamic Pressure ◽  
Solar Wind Dynamic Pressure ◽  
Ionospheric Convection

scholarly journals Cluster survey of the mid-altitude cusp: 1. size, location, and dynamics

2006 ◽  
Vol 24 (11) ◽  
pp. 3011-3026 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Pitout ◽  
C. P. Escoubet ◽  
B. Klecker ◽  
H. Rème
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Solar Wind ◽  
Time Delay ◽  
Interplanetary Magnetic Field ◽  
Statistical Study ◽  
Proper Time ◽  
Dynamic Pressure ◽  
Solar Wind Dynamic Pressure ◽  
Summer Hemisphere ◽  
External Conditions

Abstract. We present a statistical study of four years of Cluster crossings of the mid-altitude cusp. In this first part of the study, we start by introducing the method we have used a) to define the cusp properties, b) to sort the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) conditions or behaviors into classes, c) to determine the proper time delay between the solar wind monitors and Cluster. Out of the 920 passes that we have analyzed, only 261 fulfill our criteria and are considered as cusp crossings. We look at the size, location and dynamics of the mid-altitude cusp under various IMF orientations and solar wind conditions. For southward IMF, Bz rules the latitudinal dynamics, whereas By governs the zonal dynamics, confirming previous works. We show that when |By| is larger than |Bz|, the cusp widens and its location decorrelates from By. We interpret this feature in terms of component reconnection occurring under By-dominated IMF. For northward IMF, we demonstrate that the location of the cusp depends primarily upon the solar wind dynamic pressure and upon the Y-component of the IMF. Also, the multipoint capability of Cluster allows us to conclude that the cusp needs typically more than ~20 min to fully adjust its location and size in response to changes in external conditions, and its speed is correlated to variations in the amplitude of IMF-Bz. Indeed, the velocity in °ILAT/min of the cusp appears to be proportional to the variation in Bz in nT: Vcusp=0.024 ΔBz. Finally, we observe differences in the behavior of the cusp in the two hemispheres. Those differences suggest that the cusp moves and widens more freely in the summer hemisphere.

scholarly journals Effects of Abrupt Variations of Solar Wind Dynamic Pressure on the High-Latitude Ionosphere

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Igino Coco ◽  
Ermanno Amata ◽  
Maria Federica Marcucci ◽  
Danila Ambrosino ◽  
Simon G. Shepherd
Keyword(s):  
Solar Wind ◽  
High Latitude ◽  
Statistical Study ◽  
Dynamic Pressure ◽  
Solar Wind Dynamic Pressure ◽  
Polar Cap ◽  
Radar Backscatter ◽  
Preliminary Results ◽  
Radar Network ◽  
High Latitude Ionosphere

We show the results of a statistical study on the effects in the high-latitude ionosphere of abrupt variations of solar wind dynamic pressure, using Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) data in both hemispheres. We find that, during periods of quiet ionospheric conditions, the amount of radar backscatter increases when a variation in the dynamic pressure occurs, both positive (increase of the pressure) and negative (decrease of the pressure). We also investigate the behaviour of the Cross-Polar Cap Potential (CPCP) during pressure variations and show preliminary results.

Solar wind dynamic pressure enhancements and polar auroras

1998 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 1305-1308 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y Zhang ◽  
D.J McEwen ◽  
I Oznovich
Keyword(s):  
Solar Wind ◽  
Dynamic Pressure ◽  
Solar Wind Dynamic Pressure
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