Multi-Instrument Diagnostics of the Plasmasphere Boundary Layer Region

Mathematics – Logic

Scientific paper

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2439 Ionospheric Irregularities, 2441 Ionospheric Storms (7949), 2443 Midlatitude Ionosphere, 7829 Kinetic Waves And Instabilities, 7944 Ionospheric Effects On Radio Waves

Scientific paper

Recent studies highlighting geomagnetic storm disturbance effects in the ionosphere and magnetosphere have heightened interest in the processes which occur in the plasmasphere boundary layer (PBL) [Carpenter and Lemaire, 2004], a dynamic interaction region with a footprint in the sub-auroral ionosphere. In particular, the dusk sector PBL region is often characterized by electron density and electron temperature gradients near plasmapause field lines. The gradients are opposed to each other and provide an energy source for ionospheric irregularities observable by a wide range of ground based radars. Recent work by Greenwald et al [GRL, in review, 2006] using Millstone Hill incoherent scatter radar plasma diagnostics coupled with mid-latitude SuperDARN HF radar backscatter observations from Wallops Island, VA, has identified the temperature gradient instability (TGI) as a primary generator of decameter scale ionospheric irregularities in this important L=3 to 4 interaction region. The TGI has also been identified as a potential energy source for SAR arc generation and plasmapause VLF/ELF wave activity [Hudson and Kelley, 1976], both signatures of magnetosphere/ionosphere coupling. We present a multi-instrument event study of the ionospheric conditions on dusk sector plasmapause field lines. We extend the work of Greenwald et al [2006] by adding total electron content density and gradient determinations determined from Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver data. With the addition of GPS TEC data, we investigate the strength and spatial orientation of density gradients near times when active TGI processes are producing HF radar backscatter observable with SuperDARN. To place our ground measurements in context, we also utilize Defense Meterological Satellite Program (DMSP) topside overflights to determine key precipitation boundaries and the presence/absence of sub-auroral polarization stream (SAPS) electric fields.

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