High-latitude ionospheric conductivity variability in three dimensions

Details

• Journal Title:
  Geophysical Research Letters
• Personal Author:
  McGranaghan, Ryan ; Knipp, Delores J. ; Matsuo, Tomoko
• NOAA Program & Office:
  SWPC (Space Weather Prediction Center) ; NWS (National Weather Service) ; CIRES (Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences)
• Description:
  We perform the first ever global-scale, altitude-dependent analysis of polar ionospheric conductivity variability using spectrally resolved in situ satellite particle measurements. With an empirical orthogonal function analysis we identify three primary modes of three-dimensional variability related to ionospheric footprints of the quiet and disturbed geospace environment: (1) perturbation of the quasi-permanent auroral oval, (2) differing projections of electron precipitation during southward and northward interplanetary magnetic field, and (3) a likely imprint of variation in Alfvenic Poynting flux deposition. Together, these modes account for >50% of the total conductivity variability throughout the E region ionosphere. Our results show that height-integrated conductance and height-dependent conductivities are distinctly different, underscoring the importance of studying the ionosphere in three dimensions. We provide the framework for future three-dimensional global analysis of ionosphere-magnetosphere coupling.
• Source:
  Geophysical Research Letters, 43(15), 7867-7877.
• DOI:
  https://doi.org/10.1002/2016gl070253
• Document Type:
  Journal Article
• Rights Information:
  Other
• Compliance:
  Submitted
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha256:66896ad57be7118363311ddb29a0acaad34398794a7936136a4d10aac92c263f
• Download URL:
  https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/15301/noaa_15301_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 1.31 MB ]