Geomagnetic Energy Distribution and Influence on the Ionosphere/Thermosphere in the Polar Region

The objective of the project is to improve the specification of the magnetospheric energy inputs, including both Poynting flux and particle precipitation, in the polar upper atmosphere and to determine how the ionosphere and thermosphere respond to the geomagnetic energy distribution in order to improve the predictability of this response and effects on satellite drag and high frequency HF wave propagation paths. We made great progresses in the following directions 1. Based on the Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate COSMIC satellites observations of electron density profiles from 2009-2014, Pedersen conductivity has been estimated. A climatologic study of the height-integrated Pedersen conductances in both E 100150 km and F 150600 km regions and their ratio in different seasons, solar and geomagnetic conditions has been conducted. 2. To understand the significance of different physical mechanisms including Poynting flux and particle precipitation, and the correlation between them, a statistical study of Poytning flux and particle energy flux in the dayside cusp and low-latitude boundary layer LLBL regions has been conducted based on DMSP F15 measurements. 3. the electric field and the particle precipitation at different spatial scale sizes have been investigated by utilizing the Dynamic Explorer 2 satellite data set, focusing on conditions of moderately strong southward interplanetary magnetic field. 4. The influence of an idealized, smaller Carrington-type storm on the thermosphere in the high latitudes has been simulated using the nonhydrostatic Global Ionosphere-Thermosphere Model. 5. The energetic electrons and ions 0.130.2 keV measured by DMSP are binned according to geomagnetic coordinates.