Extreme changes in the dayside ionosphere during a Carrington-type magnetic storm

Journal of Space Weather and Space Climate

Joseph D. Huba³  Gurbax S. Lakhina¹  Anthony J. Mannucci⁴  Olga P. Verkhoglyadova²  Bruce T. Tsurutani⁴ 

[1] Indian Institute of Geomagnetism,Navi Mumbai,Maharastra,India;CSPAR, University of Alabama,Huntsville,Alabama,USA;Naval Research Laboratory,Washington DC,USA;Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology,Pasadena,California,USA

关键词: flares;    coronal mass ejection (CME);    electric field;    ionosphere (mid latitude);    ionosphere (equatorial);   

Others  :  800691
DOI  :  doi:10.1051/swsc/2012004

 received in 2012-02-09, accepted in 2012-05-12,  发布年份 2012

【 摘 要 】

It is shown that during the 30 October 2003 superstorm, dayside O+ ions were uplifted to DMSP altitudes (~850 km). Peak densities were ~9 × 105 cm−3 during the magnetic storm main phase (peak Dst = −390 nT). By comparison the 1–2 September 1859 Carrington magnetic storm (peak Dst estimated at −1760 nT) was considerably stronger. We investigate the impact of this storm on the low- to mid-latitude ionosphere using a modified version of the NRL SAMI2 ionospheric code. It is found that the equatorial region (LAT = 0° ± 15°) is swept free of plasma within 15 min (or less) of storm onset. The plasma is swept to higher altitudes and higher latitudes due to E × B convection associated with the prompt penetration electric field. Equatorial Ionization Anomaly (EIA) O+ density enhancements are found to be located within the broad range of latitudes ~ ± (25°–40°) at ~500–900 km altitudes. Densities within these peaks are ~6 × 106 oxygen ions-cm−3 at ~700 km altitude, approximately +600% quiet time values. The oxygen ions at the top portions (850–1000 km) of uplifted EIAs will cause strong low-altitude satellite drag. Calculations are currently being performed on possible uplift of oxygen neutrals by ion-neutral coupling to understand if there might be further significant satellite drag forces present.

【 授权许可】

   
© Owned by the authors, Published by EDP Sciences 2012

【 图 表 】

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