scholarly journals Positive storm effects in the dayside polar ionospheric F-region observed by EISCAT and ESR during the magnetic storm of 15 May 1997

2002 ◽  
Vol 20 (9) ◽  
pp. 1377-1384 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Y. Ma ◽  
H. T. Cai ◽  
H. X. Liu ◽  
K. Schlegel ◽  
G. Lu
Keyword(s):  
Electron Temperature ◽  
Magnetic Storm ◽  
Radar Data ◽  
Auroral Oval ◽  
Soft Particle ◽  
Plasma Convection ◽  
Particle Precipitation ◽  
Storm Effects ◽  
Cusp Region ◽  
F Region

Abstract. EISCAT/ESR radar data and in situ FAST and POLAR satellite observations are coordinately analyzed to investigate positive ionospheric storm effects in the dayside upper F-region in both the polar cap and the auroral oval during the magnetic storm of 15 May 1997. An ionization enhancement, lasting for about 2.5 h, appeared first over the EISCAT site around magnetic noon; about one hour later, a similar ionization enhancement was also seen over ESR. During the concerned time period ion energy spectra measured on board FAST show clearly continuous energy-latitude dispersion when the satellite passed by over the EISCAT latitude. This implies that EISCAT was located under the polar cusp region which was highly active, and expanded greatly equatorwards due to magnetopause reconnections during long-lasting southward IMF. Simultaneously, soft particles of the magnetosheath precipitated into the F-region ionosphere and caused the positive storm effects over EISCAT. The coincident increase in electron temperature at EISCAT gives additional evidence for soft particle precipitation. Consistently, POLAR UV images show strong dayside aurora extending to as low as 62° N magnetic latitude. The ionization enhancement over ESR, however, seems not to be caused by local particle precipitation, evidenced by a lack of enhanced electron temperature. The observed plasma convection velocity and data-fitted convection patterns by AMIE suggested that it is likely to be a polar patch originating from the cusp region and traveling to the ESR site.Key words. Ionosphere (auroral ionosphere; particle percipitation) Magnetospheric physics (storms and substorms)

scholarly journals Polar patches observed by ESR and their possible origin in the cusp region

2000 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 1043-1053 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. M. Smith ◽  
S. E. Pryse ◽  
L. Kersley
Keyword(s):  
Energy Distribution ◽  
Electron Density ◽  
Plasma Flow ◽  
Plasma Temperature ◽  
Soft Particle ◽  
Polar Ionosphere ◽  
Polar Cap ◽  
Particle Precipitation ◽  
Cusp Region ◽  
Reconnection Site

Abstract. Observations by the EISCAT Svalbard radar in summer have revealed electron density enhancements in the magnetic noon sector under conditions of IMF Bz southward. The features were identified as possible candidates for polar-cap patches drifting anti-Sunward with the plasma flow. Supporting measurements by the EISCAT mainland radar, the CUTLASS radar and DMSP satellites, in a multi-instrument study, suggested that the origin of the structures lay upstream at lower latitudes, with the modulation in density being attributed to variability in soft-particle precipitation in the cusp region. It is proposed that the variations in precipitation may be linked to changes in the location of the reconnection site at the magnetopause, which in turn results in changes in the energy distribution of the precipitating particles.Key words: Ionosphere (ionosphere-magnetosphere interactions; plasma temperature and density; polar ionosphere)

scholarly journals Evidence for solar-production as a source of polar-cap plasma

2004 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 1093-1102 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. E. Pryse ◽  
R. W. Sims ◽  
J. Moen ◽  
L. Kersley ◽  
D. Lorentzen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Latitude ◽  
Extended Period ◽  
Soft Particle ◽  
Plasma Convection ◽  
Polar Cap ◽  
Ionosphere Plasma ◽  
F Region ◽  
Modelling Studies ◽  
Restricted Region ◽  
Radio Tomographic Imaging

Abstract. The focus of the study is a region of enhanced ionospheric densities observed by the EISCAT Svalbard radar in the polar F-region near local magnetic noon under conditions of IMF Bz<0. Multi-instrument observations, using optical, spacecraft and radar instrumentation, together with radio tomographic imaging, have been used to identify the source of the enhancement and establish the background ionospheric conditions. Soft-particle precipitation was ruled out as a candidate for the production. Tomographic observations identified a latitudinally restricted region of enhanced densities at sub-auroral latitudes, distinct from the normal mid-latitude ionosphere, which was likely to be the source. The evidence suggested that the increased sub-auroral densities were photoionisation produced at the equatorward edge of the afternoon high-latitude cell, where the plasma is exposed to sunlight for an extended period as it flows slowly sunward toward magnetic noon. It is proposed that this plasma, once in the noon sector, was drawn antisunward by the high-latitude convection toward polar latitudes where it was identified by the EISCAT Svalbard radar. The observations are discussed in terms of earlier modelling studies of polar patch densities. Key words. Ionosphere (polar ionosphere; plasma temerature; plasma convection)

scholarly journals On the possible role of cusp/cleft precipitation in the formation of polar-cap patches

1999 ◽  
Vol 17 (10) ◽  
pp. 1298-1305 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. K. Walker ◽  
J. Moen ◽  
L. Kersley ◽  
D. A. Lorentzen
Keyword(s):  
Electron Density ◽  
Source Region ◽  
Convection Flow ◽  
Substantial Part ◽  
Soft Particle ◽  
Polar Cap ◽  
Particle Precipitation ◽  
Flow Measurements ◽  
F Region

Abstract. The work describes experimental observations of enhancements in the electron density of the ionospheric F-region created by cusp/cleft particle precipitation at the dayside entry to the polar-cap convection flow. Measurements by meridian scanning photometer and all-sky camera of optical red-line emissions from aurora are used to identify latitudinally narrow bands of soft-particle precipitation responsible for structured enhancements in electron density determined from images obtained by radio tomography. Two examples are discussed in which the electron density features with size scales and magnitudes commensurate with those of patches are shown to be formed by precipitation at the entry region to the anti-sunward flow. In one case the spectrum of the incoming particles results in ionisation being created, for the most part below 250 km, so that the patch will persist only for minutes after convecting away from the auroral source region. However in a second example, at a time when the plasma density of the solar wind was particularly high, a substantial part of the particle-induced enhancement formed above 250 km. It is suggested that, with the reduced recombination loss in the upper F-region, this structure will retain form as a patch during passage in the anti-sunward flow across the polar cap.Key words. Ionosphere (ionospheric irregularities; particle precipitation; polar ionosphere)

scholarly journals Auroral electrojets and boundaries of plasma domains in the magnetosphere during magnetically disturbed intervals

2006 ◽  
Vol 24 (8) ◽  
pp. 2243-2276 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. I. Feldstein ◽  
V. A. Popov ◽  
J. A. Cumnock ◽  
A. Prigancova ◽  
L. G. Blomberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Storm ◽  
Plasma Sheet ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Auroral Oval ◽  
Main Phase ◽  
Particle Precipitation ◽  
Evening Sector ◽  
Central Plasma ◽  
Central Plasma Sheet ◽  
Dusk Sector

Abstract. We investigate variations in the location and intensity of the auroral electrojets during magnetic storms and substorms using a numerical method for estimating the equivalent ionospheric currents based on data from meridian chains of magnetic observatories. Special attention was paid to the complex structure of the electrojets and their interrelationship with diffuse and discrete particle precipitation and field-aligned currents in the dusk sector. During magnetospheric substorms the eastward electrojet (EE) location in the evening sector changes with local time from cusp latitudes (Φ~77°) during early afternoon to latitudes of diffuse auroral precipitation (Φ~65°) equatorward of the auroral oval before midnight. During the main phase of an intense magnetic storm the eastward currents in the noon-early evening sector adjoin to the cusp at Φ~65° and in the pre-midnight sector are located at subauroral latitude Φ~57°. The westward electrojet (WE) is located along the auroral oval from evening through night to the morning sector and adjoins to the polar electrojet (PE) located at cusp latitudes in the dayside sector. The integrated values of the eastward (westward) equivalent ionospheric current during the intense substorm are ~0.5 MA (~1.5 MA), whereas they are 0.7 MA (3.0 MA) during the storm main phase maximum. The latitudes of auroral particle precipitation in the dusk sector are identical with those of both electrojets. The EE in the evening sector is accompanied by particle precipitation mainly from the Alfvén layer but also from the near-Earth part of the central plasma sheet. In the lower-latitude part of the EE the field-aligned currents (FACs) flow into the ionosphere (Region 2 FAC), and at its higher-latitude part the FACs flow out of the ionosphere (Region 1 FAC). During intense disturbances, in addition to the Region 2 FAC and the Region 1 FAC, a Region 3 FAC with the downward current was identified. This FAC is accompanied by diffuse electron precipitation from the plasma sheet boundary layer. Actually, the triple system of FAC is observed in the evening sector and, as a consequence, the WE and the EE overlap. The WE in the evening sector comprises only the high-latitude periphery of the plasma precipitation region and corresponds to the Hall current between the Region 1 FAC and Region 3 FAC. During the September 1998 magnetic storm, two velocity bursts (~2–4 km/s) in the magnetospheric convection were observed at the latitudes of particle precipitation from the central plasma sheet and at subauroral latitudes near the ionospheric trough. These kind of bursts are known as subauroral polarization streams (SAPS). In the evening sector the Alfvén layer equatorial boundary for precipitating ions is located more equatorward than that for electrons. This may favour northward electric field generation between these boundaries and may cause high speed westward ions drift visualized as SAPS. Meanwhile, high speed ion drifts cover a wider range of latitudes than the distance between the equatorward boundaries of ions and electrons precipitation. To summarize the results obtained a new scheme of 3-D currents in the magnetosphere-ionosphere system and a clarified view of interrelated 3-D currents and magnetospheric plasma domains are proposed.

scholarly journals A Statistical study of the Doppler spectral width of high-latitude ionospheric F-region echoes recorded with SuperDARN coherent HF radars

2002 ◽  
Vol 20 (11) ◽  
pp. 1769-1781 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.-P. Villain ◽  
R. André ◽  
M. Pinnock ◽  
R. A. Greenwald ◽  
C. Hanuise
Keyword(s):  
High Latitude ◽  
Statistical Study ◽  
Spectral Width ◽  
Auroral Oval ◽  
F Region ◽  
Radar Network ◽  
Period 2 ◽  
Time Period ◽  
High Latitude Ionosphere ◽  
Data Points

Abstract. The HF radars of the Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) provide measurements of the E × B drift of ionospheric plasma over extended regions of the high-latitude ionosphere. We have conducted a statistical study of the associated Doppler spectral width of ionospheric F-region echoes. The study has been conducted with all available radars from the Northern Hemisphere for 2 specific periods of time. Period 1 corresponds to the winter months of 1994, while period 2 covers October 1996 to March 1997. The distributions of data points and average spectral width are presented as a function of Magnetic Latitude and Magnetic Local Time. The databases are very consistent and exhibit the same features. The most stringent features are: a region of very high spectral width, collocated with the ionospheric LLBL/cusp/mantle region; an oval shaped region of high spectral width, whose equator-ward boundary matches the poleward limit of the Holzworth and Meng auroral oval. A simulation has been conducted to evaluate the geometrical and instrumental effects on the spectral width. It shows that these effects cannot account for the observed spectral features. It is then concluded that these specific spectral width characteristics are the signature of ionospheric/magnetospheric coupling phenomena.Key words. Ionosphere (auroral ionosphere; ionosphere-magnetosphere interactions; ionospheric irregularities)

scholarly journals Observations of diverging field-aligned ion flow with the ESR

2004 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 889-899 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. C. Buchert ◽  
Y. Ogawa ◽  
R. Fujii ◽  
A. P. van Eyken
Keyword(s):  
Field Line ◽  
Geomagnetic Field ◽  
Plasma Temperature ◽  
Ionization Mechanism ◽  
Soft Particle ◽  
Polar Ionosphere ◽  
Ion Composition ◽  
Ion Flow ◽  
F Region ◽  
Ionization Balance

Abstract. We report on observations of a diverging ion flow along the geomagnetic field that is often seen at the EISCAT Svalbard radar. The flow is upward above the peak of the electron density in the F-region and downward below the peak. We estimate that in such events mass transport along the field line is important for the ionization balance, and that the shape of the F-layer and its ion composition should be strongly influenced by it. Diverging flow typically occurs when there are signatures of direct entry of sheath plasma to the ionosphere in the form of intense soft particle precipitation, and we suggest that it is caused by the ionization and ionospheric electron heating associated with this precipitation. On average, 30% of all events with ion upflow also show significant ion downflow below. Key words.Ionosphere (polar ionosphere; ionization mechanism; plasma temperature and density)

scholarly journals Simultaneous high- and low-latitude reconnection: ESR and DMSP observations

2002 ◽  
Vol 20 (9) ◽  
pp. 1311-1320 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Pitout ◽  
P. T. Newell ◽  
S. C. Buchert
Keyword(s):  
High Latitude ◽  
Time Interval ◽  
High Latitudes ◽  
Polar Ionosphere ◽  
Plasma Convection ◽  
Low Latitude ◽  
Svalbard Archipelago ◽  
Cusp Region ◽  
Ionosphere Plasma ◽  
Particle Measurement

Abstract. We present EISCAT Svalbard Radar and DMSP observations of a double cusp during an interval of predominantly northward IMF on 26 November 2000. In the cusp region, the ESR dish, pointing northward, recorded sun-ward ionospheric flow at high latitudes (above 82° GL), indicating reconnection occuring in the magnetospheric lobe. Meanwhile, the same dish also recorded bursts of poleward flow, indicative of bursty reconnection at the subsolar magnetopause. Within this time interval, the DMSP F13 satellite passed in the close vicinity of the Svalbard archipelago. The particle measurement on board exhibited a double cusp structure in which two oppositely oriented ion dispersions are recorded. We interpret this set of data in terms of simultaneous merging at low- and high-latitude magnetopause. We discuss the conditions for which such simultaneous high-latitude and low-latitude reconnection can be anticipated. We also discuss the consequences of the presence of two X-lines in the dayside polar ionosphere.Key words. Magnetospheric physics (solar wind-magnetosphere interactions) – Ionosphere (polar ionosphere; plasma convection)

scholarly journals Simultaneous observations at different altitudes of ionospheric backscatter in the eastward electrojet

1998 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. E. Milan ◽  
M. Lester
Keyword(s):  
Spectral Characteristics ◽  
Temporal Variations ◽  
Approximate Determination ◽  
Spectral Signature ◽  
Plasma Convection ◽  
Flow Angle ◽  
F Region ◽  
Ion Acoustic ◽  
E Region ◽  
Acoustic Speed

Abstract. A common feature of evening near-range ionospheric backscatter in the CUTLASS Iceland radar field of view is two parallel, approximately L-shell-aligned regions of westward flow which are attributed to irregularities in the auroral eastward electrojet region of the ionosphere. These backscatter channels are separated by approximately 100–200 km in range. The orientation of the CUTLASS Iceland radar beams and the zonally aligned nature of the flow allows an approximate determination of flow angle to be made without the necessity of bistatic measurements. The two flow channels have different azimuthal variations in flow velocity and spectral width. The nearer of the two regions has two distinct spectral signatures. The eastern beams detect spectra with velocities which saturate at or near the ion-acoustic speed, and have low spectral widths (less than 100 m s–1), while the western beams detect lower velocities and higher spectral widths (above 200 m s–1). The more distant of the two channels has only one spectral signature with velocities above the ion-acoustic speed and high spectral widths. The spectral characteristics of the backscatter are consistent with E-region scatter in the nearer channel and upper-E-region or F-region scatter in the further channel. Temporal variations in the characteristics of both channels support current theories of E-region turbulent heating and previous observations of velocity-dependent backscatter cross-section. In future, observations of this nature will provide a powerful tool for the investigation of simultaneous E- and F-region irregularity generation under similar (nearly co-located or magnetically conjugate) electric field conditions.Key words. Auroral ionosphere · Ionospheric irregularities · Plasma convection

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