HR: 0830h
AN: SA21B-0075    [PDF]
TI: Active Role of the Ionosphere in M-I Coupling
AU: * Zhu, L
EM: zhu@cc.usu.edu
AF: CASS, Utah State Univ., Logan, UT 84322-4405
AU: Schunk, R
AF: CASS, Utah State Univ., Logan, UT 84322-4405
AU: Sojka, J
AF: CASS, Utah State Univ., Logan, UT 84322-4405
AB: Magnetosphere-ionosphere (M-I) coupling is a key element in solar-terrestrial physics and is of fundamental importance to space weather forecast. In the traditional research approach of M-I coupling processes, the ionosphere is treated as a passive medium. Even in the most recent coupled global magnetosphere-ionosphere models, the active role of the ionosphere has not been fully appreciated. Using a self-consistent M-I coupling model, it will be shown that the ionosphere can generate its own field-aligned currents and develop its own structured electric field and their impacts on the M-I coupling will be discussed. Also the approach of how to improve the M-I coupling component in the coupled global magnetosphere-ionosphere models will be suggested.
DE: 2411 Electric fields (2712)
DE: 2431 Ionosphere/magnetosphere interactions (2736)
DE: 2712 Electric fields (2411)
DE: 2732 Magnetosphere interactions with satellites and rings
SC: SPA - Aeronomy [SA]
MN: 2003 Fall Meeting