Observations of three-dimensional ionospheric plasma properties in a space hurricane
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: The space hurricane is a newly discovered large-scale three-dimensional magnetic vortex structure that spans the polar ionosphere and magnetosphere. It has been suggested to open a fast energy transport channel for the solar wind to invade Earth’s magnetosphere under northward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) conditions. It is, therefore, an important phenomenon to understand the solar wind–magnetosphere–ionosphere coupling process under northward IMF conditions. In this study, we report the three-dimensional ionospheric plasma properties of a space hurricane event in the Northern Hemisphere observed by multiple instruments. Based on the convection velocity observations from ground-based radars and polar satellites, we confirm that the major modulation to the polar cap convection called a space hurricane rotates clockwise at the altitude of the ionosphere. Ground-based incoherent scatter radar and polar satellite observations reveal four features associated with the space hurricane: 1) strong plasma flow shears and being embedded in a clockwise lobe convection cell; 2) a major addition to the total energy deposition in the ionosphere–thermosphere system by Joule heating; 3) downward ionospheric electron transport; and 4) multiple ion-temperature enhancements in the sunward velocity region, likely from the spiral arms of the space hurricane. These results present, first, the impact of space hurricane on the low-altitude ionosphere and provide additional insights on the magnetospheric impact on structuring in the polar ionosphere.
Authors: Sheng Lu, Zan-Yang Xing, Qing-He Zhang, Yongliang Zhang, Kjellmar Oksavik, L. R. Lyons, Michael Lockwood, Yu-Zhang Ma, Xiang-Yu Wang, N. Balan, Hui-Gen Yang, Yong Wang, Zhong-Xin Deng, Tong Xu, Shu-Ji Sun
Institutions: Shandong University, Chinese Academy of Sciences, National Space Science Center, State Key Laboratory of Space Weather, Johns Hopkins University, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, University of Bergen, University Centre in Svalbard, University of California, Los Angeles, University of Reading, Polar Research Institute of China
Language: English
Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,125
OpenAlex ID: W4405653149