Convection in the Magnetosphere‐Ionosphere System: A Multimission Survey of Its Response to IMF By Reversals. Issue 10 (12th October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Case, N. A.; Grocott, A.; Fear, R. C.; Haaland, S.; Lane, J. H.
• Is Part Of: Journal of geophysical research. Volume 125:Issue 10(2020)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2020-10-12
• Subjects: IMF By -- reversals -- lobes -- plasma sheet -- ionosphere -- convection; Magnetospheric physics -- Periodicals; Space environment -- Periodicals; Cosmic physics -- Periodicals; Planets -- Atmospheres -- Periodicals; Heliosphere (Astrophysics) -- Periodicals; Geophysics -- Periodicals; 523.01
• DOI: 10.1029/2019JA027541
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2169-9380

Abstract

Abstract: Past studies have demonstrated that the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) B y component introduces asymmetries in the magnetosphere‐ionosphere (M‐I) system, though the exact timings involved are still unclear with two distinct mechanisms proposed. In this study, we statistically analyze convective flows from three regions of the M‐I system: the magnetospheric lobes, the plasma sheet, and the ionosphere. We perform superposed epoch analyses on the convective flows in response to reversals in the IMF B y orientation, to determine the flow response timescales of these regions. We find that the lobes respond quickly and reconfigure to the new IMF B y state within 30–40 min. The plasma sheet flows, however, do not show a clear response to the IMF B y reversal, at least within 4 hr postreversal. The ionospheric data, measured by the Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN), match their counterpart magnetospheric flows, with clear and prompt responses at ≥75° magnetic latitude (MLAT) but a less pronounced response at 60–70 MLAT. We discuss the potential implication of these results on the mechanisms for introducing the IMF B y component into the M‐I system. Key Points: Flows in the magnetotail lobes respond promptly to changes in the IMF B y orientation, reaching a new state within 30–40 min No clear flow response is detected on timescales of up to 4 hr in the plasma sheet Ionospheric flows exhibit clear responses at higher latitudes and a less pronounced responses at lower latitudes