HR: 09:00h
AN: SA31B-05 INVITED     [Abstracts]
TI: The Response of the Low and Middle Latitude Topside Ionosphere to the Superstorm Events of October and November 2003
AU: * Heelis, R A
EM: heelis@utdallas.edu
AF: University of Texas at Dallas, Bos 830688, Richardson, TX 75083-0688 United States
AU: Coley, W R
EM: coley@utdallas.edu
AF: University of Texas at Dallas, Bos 830688, Richardson, TX 75083-0688 United States
AU: Su, S
EM: t2700146@ncu.edu.tw
AF: National Central Universittyy, Chung Li, Taoyuan, 32504 Taiwan
AB: Superstorms are identified by a large negative excursion in the Dst index, but are also characterized by periods in which the interplanetary magnetic field is also large and negative and the AE index is significantly enhanced. A large increase in high latitude ionospheric electric field is accompanied by an expansion of the latitude range of influence and a penetration of the field beyond the auroral zone. In addition, enhanced Joule and particle heating in the auroral zones create vertical and equatorward winds that affect the ionization distribution. During the superstorms of October and November 2003 the DMSP and ROCSAT-1 satellites observe the changing ion concentration in the topside ionosphere and the associated electrodynamic drift of the ionization. By examining the evolution of these parameters at fixed longitudes and different local times at middle and low latitudes it is possible to describe the effects of these different drivers originating at high latitudes. Here we describe the effects of enhanced upward ExB drifts and equatorward neutral winds in redistributing the ionization in the topside at low and middle latitudes.
DE: 2411 Electric fields (2712)
DE: 2437 Ionospheric dynamics
DE: 2443 Midlatitude ionosphere
SC: SPA-Aeronomy [SA]
MN: 2004 AGU Fall Meeting