HR: 16:30h
AN: SA14A-05    [Abstracts]
TI: Challenges to Understanding the Storm-Time Electrodynamics of the Ionosphere at low and Middle Latitudes.
AU: * Heelis, R A
EM: heelis@utdallas.edu
AF: University of Texas at Dallas, MS FO22 PO Box 830688, Richardson, TX 75083-0688 United States
AB: In this report we describe the horizontal and vertical motions observed by the DMSP satellites for different storm periods. Short and long lived vertical drifts at the equator have lifetimes that are dependent on local time and the persistence of zonal ion drifts across the equatorial region is a function of local time, storm time, and longitude. The effects of potentials applied at high latitudes via the magnetosphere, and of wind dynamo electric fields modified by high latitude auroral processes must be considered in describing the behavior of these ion drifts. The expansion of the auroral zone complicates the interpretation of ion drifts that appear at what is usually a midlatitude location equatorward of the auroral zone. In addition to illustrating the common features of the ionospheric electrodynamics we also indicate unique features that may be dependent on the initial state of the ionosphere at the time of the storm onset. The measurements required to resolve questions about the sources for the electrodynamic signatures will be discussed in the light of the expected capabilities of the LWS IT storm probes mission
DE: 2437 Ionospheric dynamics
DE: 2481 Topside ionosphere
SC: SPA-Aeronomy [SA]
MN: 2005 Joint Assembly