Solar wind driving of ionosphere‐thermosphere responses in three storms near St. Patrick's Day in 2012, 2013, and 2015

• Published in: Journal of geophysical research. Space physics 2016-09, Vol.121 (9), p.8900-8923
• Main Authors: Verkhoglyadova, O. P., Tsurutani, B. T., Mannucci, A. J., Mlynczak, M. G., Hunt, L. A., Paxton, L. J., Komjathy, A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Broadband; Cooling; Coronal loops; Coronal mass ejection; Coupling; Driving ability; Dynamical systems; Emission measurements; geomagnetic storm; Geomagnetic storms; Geomagnetism; Global navigation satellite system; Ground stations; ICME; Interplanetary plasma; Intervals; Ionosphere; Ionospheric storms; Latitude; Magnetic clouds; Magnetic storms; Mesosphere; Navigation satellites; Navigation systems; Nitric oxide; Plasma physics; Preconditioning; Radiation; Radiometry; Sheaths; Solar flares; Solar physics; Solar wind; Storm effects; Storms; Systems analysis; Thermosphere; Thermospheric composition; Thermospheric cooling
• ISSN: 2169-9380; 2169-9402
• DOI: 10.1002/2016JA022883

We identify interplanetary plasma regions associated with three intense interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs)‐driven geomagnetic storm intervals which occurred around the same time of the year: day of year 74–79 (March) of 2012, 2013, and 2015. We show that differences in solar wind drivers lead to different dynamical ionosphere‐thermosphere (IT) responses and to different preconditioning of the IT system. We introduce a new hourly based global metric for average low‐latitude and northern middle‐latitude vertical total electron content responses in the morning, afternoon, and evening local time ranges, derived from measurements from globally distributed Global Navigation Satellite System ground stations. Our novel technique of estimating nitric oxide (NO) cooling radiation in 11° latitudinal zones is based on Thermosphere‐Ionosphere‐Mesosphere Energetics and Dynamics (TIMED)/Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry (SABER) measurements. The thermospheric cooling throughout the storm phases is studied with this high latitudinal resolution for the first time. Additionally, TIMED/Global Ultraviolet Imager (GUVI) observations of the dynamical response of the thermospheric composition (O/N2 ratio) are utilized to study negative ionospheric storm effects. Based on these data sets, we describe and quantify distinct IT responses to driving by ICME sheaths, magnetic clouds, coronal loop remnants, plasma discontinuities, and high‐speed streams following ICMEs. Our analysis of coupling functions indicates strong connection between coupling with the solar wind and IT system response in ICME‐type storms and also some differences. Knowledge of interplanetary features is crucial for understanding IT storm dynamics. Key Points We identify interplanetary plasma regions and analyze ICME intervals on DOY 74‐79 March of 2012, 2013, and 2015 We introduce new metrics for average low‐latitude and northern middle‐latitude VTEC and NO thermospheric emission Our analysis of coupling functions indicates connection and also differences between coupling with the solar wind and IT system response