Effects of Auroral Precipitation on Ionosphere and Thermosphere

Auroral precipitation is one important form of magnetospheric energy input to the high-latitude ionosphere and thermosphere. It has a significant impact on thermospheric chemistry, eneregics, and dynamics, as well as ionospheric electrodynamics. To illustrate the need for an accurate specification of auroral precipitation, we show how global ionospheric conductivity, plasma convection, electric currents, and Joule heating are affected by the spatial and temporal variations in auroral precipitation. Effects of auroral precipitation on the thermospheric composition and heating and on the electron density are also discusse