High-Latitude Ionospheric Dynamics: Impacts of Aurora, Gravity Waves, and Low-Altitude Wave Heating

Abstract:

Ionospheric plasma plays an important role in the coupled magnetosphere-ionosphere-thermosphere system. Energetic ions from the ionosphere are routinely observed in the magnetospheric plasma sheet and ring current. Significant amounts of ionospheric plasma can be transported to high altitudes in response to DC electric fields and auroral precipitation. Neutral winds affect ionospheric motions and can help or hinder ion upflow. Once ions have been lifted to high altitudes, transverse wave heating can give the upflowing ions sufficient energy to escape to the magnetosphere. GEMINI-TIA, a 2D anisotropic, multi-fluid, ionospheric model, has been used to examine these upflow and outflow processes in detail. This versatile model is well suited to accept, as model inputs, data from sounding rockets, ISR, FPI, and all-sky imagers, and to be coupled to models of neutral dynamics making it ideal for case studies of interesting events.