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AGU: Geophysical Research Letters

 

Index Terms

  • Atmospheric Composition and Structure: Thermosphere—energy deposition
  • Ionosphere: Electric fields
  • Ionosphere: Auroral ionosphere
  • Ionosphere: Particle precipitation
  • Ionosphere: Plasma convection

Abstract

GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS, VOL. 31, L09807, 4 PP., 2004
doi:10.1029/2004GL019535

Height-integrated Joule and auroral particle heating in the night side high latitude thermosphere

J. B. H. Baker

Applied Physics Laboratory, Johns Hopkins University, Laurel, Maryland, USA

Y. Zhang

Applied Physics Laboratory, Johns Hopkins University, Laurel, Maryland, USA

R. A. Greenwald

Applied Physics Laboratory, Johns Hopkins University, Laurel, Maryland, USA

L. J. Paxton

Applied Physics Laboratory, Johns Hopkins University, Laurel, Maryland, USA

D. Morrison

Applied Physics Laboratory, Johns Hopkins University, Laurel, Maryland, USA

Energy deposited at high latitudes by Joule and auroral particle heating perturbs the chemistry and dynamics of the neutral thermosphere. Height-integrated heating rates can be calculated by combining Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) measurements with TIMED spacecraft Global Ultraviolet Imager (GUVI) auroral images. Spatial maps of heating rates are examined during two TIMED orbits and statistical averages are presented for quiet to moderate levels of geomagnetic activity. Joule heating dominates in the evening sector auroral oval, whereas particle heating dominates after midnight. There is also a tendency for Joule heating (particle heating) to dominate in the vicinity of the region-1 (region-2) currents. This complementary behavior is associated with suppression of the electric field in regions of bright aurora.

Received 30 March 2004; accepted 12 April 2004; published 12 May 2004.

Citation: Baker, J. B. H., Y. Zhang, R. A. Greenwald, L. J. Paxton, and D. Morrison (2004), Height-integrated Joule and auroral particle heating in the night side high latitude thermosphere, Geophys. Res. Lett., 31, L09807, doi:10.1029/2004GL019535.

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