HR: 1340h
AN: SM13B-1326    [Abstracts]
TI: The Distribution of the Cross-polar Potential Drop Based on Particle Precipitation Characteristics
AU: * Sundberg, T
EM: torbjorn.sundberg@ee.kth.se
AF: Alfvén Laboratory, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, SE-10044, Sweden
AU: Blomberg, L G
EM: lars.blomberg@ee.kth.se
AF: Alfvén Laboratory, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, SE-10044, Sweden
AU: Cumnock, J A
EM: judy.cumnock@ee.kth.se
AF: Alfvén Laboratory, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, SE-10044, Sweden
AU: Cumnock, J A
EM: judy.cumnock@ee.kth.se
AF: William B. Hanson Center for Space Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75083, United States
AB: There are several proposed physical processes which may contribute to the cross-polar potential drop and thus drive ionospheric convection over the poles. It is generally believed that magnetic reconnection is the dominant process, however low latitude closed field line dynamos such as viscous interaction are other possible contributors. A comprehensive statistical study of DMSP F13 satellite data has been conducted for passages along the dawn- dusk meridian, with focus on typical two cell convection patterns during steady IMF conditions. An average potential distribution pattern for regions of different particle precipitation characteristics has been established, and the contribution from open and closed field line dynamos is estimated for different solar wind conditions.
DE: 2455 Particle precipitation
DE: 2784 Solar wind/magnetosphere interactions
SC: SPA-Magnetospheric Physics [SM]
MN: 2007 Fall Meeting