Near real-time characterisation of auroral activity using satellite magnetic data

In the auroral regions, magnetic disturbances can reach hundreds of nanotesla. These are caused by ionospheric currents coupled with the magnetopshere (Fig. 1a) that are strongly influenced by interactions with the solar wind and are therefore difficult to predict. The ability to characterise these disturbances in near real-time is of scientific interest, and could have practical benefits for high-latitude users of magnetic referencing and for power grids susceptible to geomagnetically induced currents. Presently, there are some (near) real-time auroral activity products that are derived from various ground and satellite data, often in combination with empirical models, e.g. NOAA's Auroral Activity and Ovation Forecasts, and the CSSDP's Real- Time Auroral Oval. However, no near real-time models of ionospheric current systems directly derived from satellite magnetic data have been created. Therefore, we assess the feasibility of automated near real time characterisation of auroral activity based on satellite magnetic measurements.