HR: 0800h
AN: SA51B-1132    [Abstracts]
TI: Mid-Latitude Thermosphere-Ionosphere Storm Response: An Aeronomy Frontier
AU: * Sojka, J J
EM: fasojka@sojka.cass.usu.edu
AF: Center for Atmospheric and Space Sciences, Utah State University 4405 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322-4405 United States
AU: Heelis, R
EM: heelis@utdallas.edu
AF: Center for Space Sciences, University of Texas Dallas P. O. Box 830688, Richardson, TX 75083-0688 United States
AB: The primary descriptions of the large scale thermosphere and ionosphere system have been based on micro-scale aeronomy processes, i.e., atomic and molecular chemistry and physical interactions, whose outcomes are then redistributed by macro-scale processes to describe regional morphologies as well as vertical stratification of the plasma environment. To a large extent the redistribution processes are understood but almost always represented by climatological drivers, i.e., neutral atmosphere -"MSIS"; neutral winds -"Hedin HWM"; auroral ionization and energy deposit ion - "Hardy"; convection and joule heating - "Weimer". Even when first principles physics models represent these drivers the models inherent space-time resolution reduces their descriptions to smoothed morphologies. A consequence of these shortcomings is that when the FAA studied mid-latitude ionospheric knowledge to design their WAAS system a major piece of ionosphere extreme weather was missed, with eventual adverse effects. This identifies a significant aeronomy frontier. This presentation emphasizes the mid-latitude regions aeronomy drivers that probably have a significant role to play in resolving our lack of knowledge. Both observations and model results will be presented to highlight why these suggested drivers are geo-effective. The consequence and hence observational requirements will be outlined. Since these conclusions depart significantly from the prevailing explanations of how mid-latitude storm aeronomy operates, specific contrasts will be made between these explanations again using observations and model results.
DE: 2427 Ionosphere/atmosphere interactions (0335)
DE: 2431 Ionosphere/magnetosphere interactions (2736)
DE: 2443 Midlatitude ionosphere
DE: 2788 Magnetic storms and substorms (7954)
SC: SPA-Aeronomy [SA]
MN: Fall Meeting 2005