F-region storms and thermospheric circulation

Physics

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Atmospheric Circulation, F Region, Ionospheric Disturbances, Magnetic Storms, Thermosphere, Atmospheric Chemistry, Earth Magnetosphere, Electron Energy, Ionospheric Heating

Scientific paper

Various current ideas are discussed on the effects of magnetic storms on the ionospheric F-layer, principally at midlatitudes. A major factor is a large-scale circulation in the thermosphere, with equatorward winds driven by the heating resulting from joule dissipation and particle precipitation, which is different from the quiet-ray pattern associated with the diurnal bulge. At midlatitudes this circulation produces upward drift in the F-region which tends to increase the peak electron density, but it also transports, from lower heights and higher latitudes, air with an enhanced molecular gas concentration which tends to decrease the peak electron density. Recovery from the midlatitude storm proceeds as molecular diffusion restores the gas composition to normal. Though in principle the circulation can cause both 'positive' and 'negative' F2-layer effects at midlatitudes, in practice other factors such as electromagnetic drift and ionosphere-magnetosphere plasma flux have important roles, and special considerations apply at low latitudes. Recent satellite experiments provide an excellent opportunity for investigating the storm circulation theory.

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