On the stability of high-latitude plasma convection during northward IMF : an event study

• We investigate the stability of the ionospheric convection pattern during northward IMF by studying an event where two DMSP satellites repeatedly traversed the Southern polar region. The Cluster satellite’s ionospheric footprint is located near the DMSP satellite tracks, moving slowly in the noon-midnight direction. TIMED/GUVI data confirm the presence of auroral activity at high latitude. SuperDARN plasma velocity data partially complete the picture. From the event studied we conclude that whereas the DMSP satellites observe local variations in the convection pattern between consecutive passes, Cluster confirms the existence of persistent sunward convection in the high-latitude ionosphere on a time scale of several hours.

Subject headings

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Fysik -- Fusion, plasma och rymdfysik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Physical Sciences -- Fusion, Plasma and Space Physics (hsv//eng)

Publication and Content Type

vet (subject category)

rap (subject category)