A Comparative Investigation of High Latitude Incoherent Scatter Radar Derived E-region Neutral Winds during Geomagnetically Quiet and Active Condition
Abstract
High latitude E-region thermospheric winds are thought to be driven by both magnetospheric forcing from above and atmospheric forcing from below. However, it remains unresolved what is the relative competition between these forcing mechanisms, even during geomagnetically quiet intervals. While the role of ion drag in driving the F-region thermospheric pattern is well-established, how Lorentz forcing affects the E-region thermospheric winds is unresolved. We present results from a statistical study of E-region neutral winds collected by the Poker Flat Incoherent Scatter Radar (PFISR) near Fairbanks, AK, USA. PFISR has been collecting nearly continuous sampled data since 2007 that is suitable for quantifying E-region neutral winds, however in this investigation we focus on data collected between 2010-2017. To understand the E-region winds during geomagnetically active vs. quiet intervals, we subdivide the data based on the AE index and also the deflection of the H-component of a local magnetometer. We compare the E-region winds relative to the plasma drifts, also derived from PFISR, and other contemporaneous observations. The E-region winds are interpreted in the context of the relative balance of forces and general circulation model results. Data from a long-term incoherent scatter radar based study are used to determine the role that magnetospheric forcing has on the E-region thermospheric winds during geomagnetically active intervals.
- Publication:
-
AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2020
- Bibcode:
- 2020AGUFMSA025..07K
- Keywords:
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- 2427 Ionosphere/atmosphere interactions;
- IONOSPHERE;
- 2431 Ionosphere/magnetosphere interactions;
- IONOSPHERE;
- 2704 Auroral phenomena;
- MAGNETOSPHERIC PHYSICS;
- 2736 Magnetosphere/ionosphere interactions;
- MAGNETOSPHERIC PHYSICS