Mid-latitude neutral wind responses to sub-auroral polarization streams

We investigate the response of the mid-latitude thermospheric neutral winds to a sub-auroral polarization stream (SAPS) event. Using red line (F region) airglow data from two Fabry–Pérot interferometers (FPIs), and F-region ionospheric flow velocities from four Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (Supe...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Annales geophysicae (1988) 2022-09, Vol.40 (5), p.571-583
Main Authors: Billett, Daniel D., McWilliams, Kathryn A., Kerr, Robert B., Makela, Jonathan J., Chartier, Alex T., Ruohoniemi, J. Michael, Kapali, Sudha, Migliozzi, Mike A., Riccobono, Juanita
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Airglow
Altitude
Convection
Coriolis force
Drag
F region
Flow velocity
Ion drag
Ionosphere
Latitude
Magnetic fields
Plasma
Plasma convection
Polarization
Pressure gradients
Radar
Radar networks
Velocity
Wind
Winds
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Summary:We investigate the response of the mid-latitude thermospheric neutral winds to a sub-auroral polarization stream (SAPS) event. Using red line (F region) airglow data from two Fabry–Pérot interferometers (FPIs), and F-region ionospheric flow velocities from four Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) radars, the drivers behind changes seen in the neutral winds are explored within the context of the larger SAPS structure. Different, although strong, neutral wind responses to the SAPS are seen at the two FPI sites, even though they are relatively close geographically. We attribute the wind differences to the varying balance of pressure gradient, ion drag, and Coriolis forces, which ultimately depend on proximity to the SAPS. At the FPI site equatorward of the SAPS, pressure gradient and Coriolis forces drive the winds equatorward and then westward. At the FPI site co-located with the SAPS, the ion drag is strong and results in the winds surging westward before turning eastward when becoming influenced by dawnside sunward plasma convection drifts.
ISSN:1432-0576
0992-7689
1432-0576
DOI:10.5194/angeo-40-571-2022