Effects of Soft Electron Precipitation on Small Scale Ionosphere-Thermosphere Dynamics

Soft electron precipitation is known to initiate a range of plasma & neutral reactions, such as increased temperature, increased density, and particle upwelling, across several time scales. A number of low-level processes, such as electron and ohmic heating, thermal expansion, ionization, and momentum transfer, all contribute to these reactions in a dynamic and highly coupled manner. As conditions evolve within this system, the relative contribution of the various underlying processes evolve as well. We investigate the small-scale dynamics of these interactions using a kilometer-scale, three-fluid, ionosphere-thermosphere numerical model which includes inertial ion and neutral terms. Results are presented which show relative contributions of various terms from the equation set, and their evolution, as the ionosphere-thermosphere responds to soft-precipitation inputs.