High-Latitude Ionospheric Convection Patterns Dependent on the IMF Orientation

QC 20120322
The IZMEM model provides high-latitude ionospheric plasma convection patterns in both hemispheres as a function of the IMF orientation. Model electric potentials are compared with electric field measurements from the DE2, FAST and DMSP satellites along high-latitude passes of the Northern and Southern hemispheres during IMF Bz < 0 and By < 0 (By >0). It has been shown that the IZMEM model electric potentials are in good agreement with measurements along the satellite passes, which makes the IZMEM global spatial convection patterns for these plausible. For small IMF magnitude ionospheric convection patterns generally consist of two cells with a positive potential cell on the dawn-side and a negative potential cell on the dusk-side. For IMF By<0 (By>0) a positive (negative) potential cell becomes dominant in the northern hemisphere, and oppositely in the southern hemisphere. During Bz > 0 the convection pattern changes from the standard two-cell pattern to a more complicated one. IZMEM shows two additional convection cells in the dayside polar cap, positive (negative) potential cell is present duskward (dawnward) of the noon-midnight meridian, and may cause three-cell or four-cell convection pattern depending on By/Bz ratio.

In:<em>“</em>Physics of Auroral Phenomena”, Proc. XXX Annual Seminar, Apatity: Kola Science Centre, Russian Academy of Science, s. 64-68

By the author/editor: Gromova, L. I.; Cumnock, Judy; Blomberg, Lars; Eriksson, Stefan; Levitin, A. E.; Feldstein, Y. I.

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