Three-dimensional ionospheric plasma circulation

Journal Article · Tue Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1992 · Journal of Geophysical Research

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/92JA00872· OSTI ID:88737

Heelis, R A; Coley, W R ^[1]; Loranc, M ^[2]; Hairston, M R ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Texas, Dallas, TX (United States)
2. NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, AL (United States)

Examination of the ion drift velocity vector measured on the DE2 spacecraft reveals the significance of ionospheric flows both perpendicular and parallel to the magnetic field at high latitudes. During periods of southward directed interplanetary magnetic field the familiar two-cell convection pattern perpendicular to the magnetic field is associated with field-aligned motion predominantly upward in the dayside auroral zone and cusp, and predominantly downward in the polar cap. Frictional heating by convection through the neutral gas and heating by energetic particle precipitation are believed to be responsible for the bulk of the upward flow with downward flows resulting from subsequent cooling of the plasma. Some of the upward flowing plasma is apparently given escape energy at altitudes above about 800 km. The average flow of ions across the entire high-latitude region at 400 km is outward and comparable to the energetic outflow observed at much higher altitudes by DE 1. 18 refs., 5 figs.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 88737
• Journal Information: Journal of Geophysical Research, Journal Name: Journal of Geophysical Research Journal Issue: A9 Vol. 97; ISSN JGREA2; ISSN 0148-0227
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

66 PHYSICS
CONVECTION
ION DRIFT
IONOSPHERE