Spatial structure of ionospheric convection velocities in regions of open and closed magnetic field topology

Abel, G.A.; Freeman, M.P. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8653-8279; Chisham, G. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1151-5934. 2006 Spatial structure of ionospheric convection velocities in regions of open and closed magnetic field topology. Geophysical Research Letters, 33 (24). L24103. 10.1029/2006GL027919

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Abstract/Summary

We present a spatial structure function analysis of ionospheric velocity, measured by the Halley Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) radar over five years. We show evidence for scale-free velocity fluctuations for separations from 45 km to ∼1000 km. For larger separations a deviation from scale-free structure is seen that we interpret as the influence of the global convection pattern. We find evidence for scale-free structure in regions of both open and closed field line topology, though with different power-law exponents. The measured power-law exponents poleward and equatorward of the open-closed field line boundary are 0.31 and 0.39 respectively. We propose that the scale-free spatial structure of ionospheric velocity fluctuations on open magnetic field lines is a reflection of the spatial structure of the solar wind and the scale-free spatial structure of ionospheric velocity fluctuations on closed magnetic field lines is dictated by the internal dynamics of the magnetosphere-ionosphere system.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1029/2006GL027919
Programmes:	BAS Programmes > Global Science in the Antarctic Context (2005-2009) > Natural Complexity Programme
ISSN:	0094-8276
Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:	Full text not available from this repository
NORA Subject Terms:	Atmospheric Sciences Space Sciences
Date made live:	04 Sep 2007 15:30 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/855

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