Sounding rocket observations of ionospheric feedback in the Alfvén resonator
Abstract
The hypothesis that low-altitude density cavities in the downward current channels can be caused by small-scale, intense shear Alfvén waves has been investigated numerically by Streltsov and Lotko [2008] and Sydorenko et al. [2008]. In particular, Streltsov and Lotko [2008] showed numerical results based on a reduced two-fluid MHD model that self-consistently describes shear Alfvén waves, ion parallel dynamics, and effects of ionospheric E-region activity and ionospheric feedback instability (IFI). Data from the high-altitude rocket of the Auroral Current and Electrodynamics Structure (ACES) mission, launched from Poker Flat Research Range (PFRR) in Alaska in January 2009, show indications of these small-scale electromagnetic Alfvén waves in the downward field-aligned current (FAC) region. We present data from the ACES-High rocket, which reached an altitude of 360 km, along with analysis and new model results. We will also highlight electron temperature data from the Magnetosphere-Ionosphere Coupling in the Alfvén resonator (MICA) mission, launched from PFRR in February 2012, and accompanying optical imaging that supported that mission.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2012
- Bibcode:
- 2012AGUFMSA33A2170C
- Keywords:
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- 2407 IONOSPHERE / Auroral ionosphere;
- 2431 IONOSPHERE / Ionosphere/magnetosphere interactions;
- 2721 MAGNETOSPHERIC PHYSICS / Field-aligned currents and current systems;
- 2736 MAGNETOSPHERIC PHYSICS / Magnetosphere/ionosphere interactions