Two-Dimensional Study of Plasma / Neutral Dynamics Surrounding Poleward Moving Auroral Forms

Abstract:

Poleward Moving Auroral Forms (PMAF's) sweep multiple bands of soft electron precipitation through cusp locations. We investigate the small-scale dynamics of PMAF's using a kilometer-scale, two-dimensional, three-fluid, ionosphere-thermosphere numerical model which includes inertial ion and neutral terms. A two-dimensional slice through several PMAF bands is simulated to examine the plasma and neutral dynamics within and between the structures. Within the simulation, PMAF regions receive high-flux soft electron precipitation input while regions between PMAFs receive low-flux precipitation input. Simulation results are presented which detail the temporal evolution of plasma and neutral populations within this slice of PMAF structures.