[P-EM12] Coupling Processes in the Atmosphere-Ionosphere System

[PEM12-P20] How do Space Hurricanes Disturb the Polar Thermosphere: A Statistical Survey

*Zhi-Feng Xiu¹, Yu-Zhang Ma¹, Qing-He Zhang², Zan-Yang Xing¹, Larry Lyons³, Kjellmar Oksavik^4,5, Yong-Liang Zhang⁶, Marc Hairston⁷, Yong Wang¹, Duan Zhang², Sheng Lu¹ (1.Shandong University, 2.National Space Science Center, 3.University of California, Los Angeles, 4.University of Bergen, 5.University Centre in Svalbard, 6.The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, 7.University of Texas at Dallas)

Keywords:space hurricane, polar ionosphere-thermosphere coupling, gravity waves

The space hurricane is a polar cap auroral structure with strong flow shears and intense particle precipitation that can disturb the thermosphere under quiet geomagnetic conditions. Here the statistical characteristics of this interaction are surveyed using data from the DMSP and GOCE satellites. The results confirm that space hurricanes modify the ion and neutral circulation in the polar cap through enhanced electric fields. Local precipitation, particularly >500 eV electrons, which raises the Pedersen conductance, leads to enhanced Joule heating and the generation of gravity waves. Electric fields play a leading role on the dawn side of the space hurricane. Gravity waves are also mainly located on the dawnside of the space hurricane, with a maximum vertical wind of 37 m/s and a 17% neutral density disturbance. These findings augment our awareness of magnetosphere-polar ionosphere-thermosphere coupling under quiet northward IMF conditions.