HR: 08:50h
AN: SA11B-04    [Abstracts]
TI: Observations and comparisons of storm enhanced density (SED) over northern Europe and American longitude sectors
AU: * Colerico, M J
EM: colerico@haystack.mmit.edu
AF: MIT Haystack Observatory, Off Route 40, Westford, Ma 01886-1299 United States
AU: Coster, A
EM: ajc@haystack.mit.edu
AF: MIT Haystack Observatory, Off Route 40, Westford, Ma 01886-1299 United States
AU: Foster, J
EM: jcf@haystack.mit.edu
AF: MIT Haystack Observatory, Off Route 40, Westford, Ma 01886-1299 United States
AU: Rideout, W
EM: wrideout@haystack.mit.edu
AF: MIT Haystack Observatory, Off Route 40, Westford, Ma 01886-1299 United States
AU: Rich, F
EM: frederick.rich@hanscom.af.mil
AF: Air Force Research Lab, AFRL/VSBXP 29 Randolph Rd., Hanscom AFB, MA 01731-3010 United States
AU: Ruohoniemi, M
EM: Mike.Ruohoniemi@jhuapl.edu
AF: Johns Hopkins University, Applied Physics Lab 11100 Johns Hopkins Rd, Laurel, MD 20723-6099 United States
AB: Storm enhanced density (SED) is formed by the large scale transport of plasma which occurs during geomagnetically active conditions. The forces underlying this transport are thought to be associated with electric field driven coupling processes which penetrate into both mid and equatorial latitudes. Its effects are evident in the redistribution of low latitude ionospheric plasma into mid-latitudes and its impact on equatorial electrodynamics during magnetically disturbed conditions. SED occurrence can also impact communication and navigation systems. SED is characterized by large gradients in electron density over a few degrees latitude and longitude. To date, SED has been exclusively observed in the American longitude sector appearing in global GPS TEC maps as plume-like structures of greatly enhanced TEC values. In this paper, we present the first observations of SED over northern Europe as seen in the October 1-3, 2001 global TEC maps. Correlated DMSP ion drift measurements indicate the presence of the sub-auroral polarization stream (SAPS). During this time period, SED developed over northern Europe on each of the three days whereas American sector SED occurred on October 1st and 2nd only. A comparison is presented between the American and northern European sector SED occurrences addressing the latitude and magnitude of the base of the SED plume. The results indicate that the mean magnetic latitude of the plume base remains near 63›¦ in both sectors over the entire three day period. The results also indicate that the SED strengthens as it propagates westward between European and American longitudes. Comparison between northern hemisphere SuperDarn convection maps and the TEC maps highlight the correlation between the westward propagation of the SED plume and the convergence of the two cell convection pattern.
DE: 2435 Ionospheric disturbances
DE: 2443 Midlatitude ionosphere
DE: 2730 Magnetosphere: inner
DE: 2768 Plasmasphere
DE: 2788 Magnetic storms and substorms (7954)
SC: SPA-Aeronomy [SA]
MN: Fall Meeting 2005