C. G. M. Brum

Electrodynamics of the vertical coupling processes in the atmosphere-ionosphere system of the low latitude region

Dynamical, electro-dynamical and electrical coupling processes originating from upward propagation of atmospheric waves, and magnetosphere-ionosphere interaction are responsible for the large degree of variabilities observed in the low latitude ionosphere. One of the most outstanding aspects of its phenomenology is related to the sunset electrodynamical processes responsible for the evening enhancements in zonal and vertical electric fields and the associated spread of F/plasma bubble irregularity development. Recent observational results have provided evidence of significant contribution to their quiet time variability arising from thermospheric wind patterns, upward propagating planetary waves and possibly sporadic E layers. This paper provides an overview and some new results on planetary wave coupling with the equatorial F region, the E layer conductivity as key connecting mechanism, a possibly interactive role by sporadic E layers, and the resulting day-to-day variability in the evening prereversal electric field enhancements with consequences on spread F development.

Relativistic electron acceleration during HILDCAA events: are precursor CIR magnetic storms important?

We present a comparative study of high-intensity long-duration continuous AE activity (HILDCAA) events, both isolated and those occurring in the “recovery phase” of geomagnetic storms induced by corotating interaction regions (CIRs). The aim of this study is to determine the difference, if any, in relativistic electron acceleration and magnetospheric energy deposition. All HILDCAA events in solar cycle 23 (from 1995 through 2008) are used in this study. Isolated HILDCAA events are characterized by enhanced fluxes of relativistic electrons compared to the pre-event flux levels. CIR magnetic storms followed by HILDCAA events show almost the same relativistic electron signatures. Cluster 1 spacecraft showed the presence of intense whistler-mode chorus waves in the outer magnetosphere during all HILDCAA intervals (when Cluster data were available). The storm-related HILDCAA events are characterized by slightly lower solar wind input energy and larger magnetospheric/ionospheric dissipation energy compared with the isolated events. A quantitative assessment shows that the mean ring current dissipation is ~34 % higher for the storm-related events relative to the isolated events, whereas Joule heating and auroral precipitation display no (statistically) distinguishable differences. On the average, the isolated events are found to be comparatively weaker and shorter than the storm-related events, although the geomagnetic characteristics of both classes of events bear no statistically significant difference. It is concluded that the CIR storms preceding the HILDCAAs have little to do with the acceleration of relativistic electrons. Our hypothesis is that ~10–100-keV electrons are sporadically injected into the magnetosphere during HILDCAA events, the anisotropic electrons continuously generate electromagnetic chorus plasma waves, and the chorus then continuously accelerates the high-energy portion of this electron spectrum to MeV energies.

D region meteoric smoke and neutral temperature retrieval using the poker flat incoherent scatter radar

Summary form only given. This presentation describes the first measurement of the microphysical properties and variability of meteoric smoke particles (MSPs) at high latitude using the Poker Flat ISR (65.1N, 147.5W). In addition, we present a novel technique for determining height resolved daytime D region neutral temperatures, which takes into account the presence of charged dust. We discuss the temporal/spatial variability and the relation to meteoric input observed and MSP microphysical properties in the polar mesopause region. Further investigation and multi-site measurements in conjunction with global models and neutral wind measurements are required to assess the relative contribution from transport versus local production. This work provides a template for potential use at many other radar sites for the determination of microphysical properties of MSPs and day-time neutral temperature in the D region that show good general agreement with other temperature data during the observing period.

High‐speed solar wind stream effects on the topside ionosphere over Arecibo: A case study during solar minimum

The impact of a high-speed solar wind stream (HSS) on the topside near-equatorial ionosphere (Arecibo: 28.17°N, L = 1.3) is investigated for the first time. Although the HSS did not lead to any significant geomagnetic storm activity, the ionosphere over Arecibo became hotter and expanded significantly in altitude as compared to a non-HSS interval. The O+/H+ transition height hT increased by ~200 km in the daytime and by ~100 km at night. At the hT, the peak ionospheric electron and ion temperatures increased by ~200-500 K during day and by ~50-70 K at night. While the O+ ion concentration exhibited an overall enhancement, deep penetration of the H+ ions below hT are observed during the day. The noontime peak electron density was ~4 times higher during the HSS event compared to the non-HSS interval. We present three possible mechanisms to explain this topside ionospheric heating.

Role of conjugate and local terminators for ionospheric dynamics at Arecibo

Using some recent Plasma drift data at Arecibo, we present evidences of Electric Field (E) changes induced by sunrise and sunset transitions at both local and conjugate regions. Field perpendicular plasma drifts in the F region are used as unambiguous diagnostic of the Electric Field. We present evidences of a downward velocity started around the conjugate sunrise and reaching minimum around the local sunrise, when it turns around and merges with normal daytime behavior, controlled by the dynamo region. During sunset, the upward drift increase at local sunset and shows a dip at the conjugate sunset, when it turns around. Afterwards, the F region is isolated and behaves in regular night time fashion. The entire behavior can be explained by coupled behavior of the E and F region, where the terminator line switches the coupling and affects charge separation at the boundaries.