CEDAR: Evaluating the Source of Electrodynamic Variability at Low-Latitudes

University Of Colorado At Boulder, Boulder CO

Investigators

Abstract

The investigators will study the source of variability of the equatorial F-region vertical plasma drift. Two possible sources will be investigated: The day-to-day changes in the amplitude of the tidal modes propagating from the lower atmosphere, and the variability induced by fluctuating magnetospheric sources at high latitudes. The first study will involve forcing the model with realistic hour-to-hour and day-to-day variability in the tidal modes at the base of the thermosphere. This will be based on the measurements from incoherent scatter radar sites, from meteor wind radar, and from satellite observations. The second study will involve forcing the model with realistic hour-to-hour and day-to-day changes in the magnetospheric sources. The study will make use of a coupled global model of the thermosphere, ionosphere, and plasmasphere.