Mid-Latitude Thermosphere-Ionosphere Storm Response: An Aeronomy Frontier

The primary descriptions of the large scale thermosphere and ionosphere system have been based on micro-scale aeronomy processes, i.e., atomic and molecular chemistry and physical interactions, whose outcomes are then redistributed by macro-scale processes to describe regional morphologies as well as vertical stratification of the plasma environment. To a large extent the redistribution processes are understood but almost always represented by climatological drivers, i.e., neutral atmosphere -"MSIS"; neutral winds -"Hedin HWM"; auroral ionization and energy deposit ion - "Hardy"; convection and joule heating - "Weimer". Even when first principles physics models represent these drivers the models inherent space-time resolution reduces their descriptions to smoothed morphologies. A consequence of these shortcomings is that when the FAA studied mid-latitude ionospheric knowledge to design their WAAS system a major piece of ionosphere extreme weather was missed, with eventual adverse effects. This identifies a significant aeronomy frontier. This presentation emphasizes the mid-latitude regions aeronomy drivers that probably have a significant role to play in resolving our lack of knowledge. Both observations and model results will be presented to highlight why these suggested drivers are geo-effective. The consequence and hence observational requirements will be outlined. Since these conclusions depart significantly from the prevailing explanations of how mid-latitude storm aeronomy operates, specific contrasts will be made between these explanations again using observations and model results.