Field Aligned Current Patterns Derived by AMIE - Satellite Data versus Ground Based Data

When dealing with magnetic field data the Assimilative Mapping of Ionospheric Electrodynamics (AMIE) procedure is traditionally built on ground based magnetometer data. In this study, however, we examine how well it can perform using magnetic field data from the Orsted and CHAMP satellites. These high precision data are more readily available and therefore it would be an advantage if data from these satellites to a greater extent could be used as input for AMIE. Furthermore, high-precision satellite data are now in abundance and should thus be well suited for improving the results of statistical as well as event studies of the ionospheric current systems. For a number of selected days and times, representing different geomagnetic conditions, AMIE fits an electric current pattern to the polar region based on the two satellite passes and we compare the results with similar patterns derived solely from ground based data. The differences and similarities are analysed and discussed with reference to improving the use of satellite data in AMIE.