All Physics Faculty Publications
Document Type
Article
Journal/Book Title/Conference
Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics
Volume
94
Issue
A7
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
Publication Date
1989
First Page
8993
Last Page
9008
Abstract
Auroral images from the Dynamics Explorer 1 (DE 1) scanning auroral imager have been combined with in situ auroral precipitation data from the DE 2 low altitude plasma instrument to form a time-dependent global auroral energy flux model. This model has both good time (12 min) and spatial (100 km) resolution compared to that currently available for global scale ionospheric and thermospheric modeling. The development and comparison of this model with others are discussed. Data from an aurorally active period, November 25, 1981, are presented and used as a case study for this model. Using a global ionospheric model, the effect of the DE auroral model is contrasted with that of a conventional empirical auroral energy flux model. Major differences in the modeled F region ionosphere are predicted from this comparative study. Specifically, F region densities differ by factors of two to four, while density boundary locations differ by up to 5° in latitude. The results indicate that “pixel size” auroral fine-structure must be included in the global ionosphere and thermosphere models when they are tested against specific ground-based or satellite data sets if an unambiguous result is to be obtained. The longer time constants of the F region are not enough to smooth-out the auroral (spatial and temporal) dynamics.
Recommended Citation
Sojka, J. J., R. W. Schunk, J. D. Craven, L. A. Frank, J. Sharber, and J. D. Winningham (1989), Modeled F Region Response to Auroral Dynamics Based Upon Dynamics Explorer Auroral Observations, J. Geophys. Res., 94(A7), 8993–9008, doi:10.1029/JA094iA07p08993.
Comments
Originally published by the American Geophysical Union. Abstract available online through the Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics.