• Bulletin of the Korean Space Science Society
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• 1999.09a
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• pp.53-53
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• 1999

No Abstract, See Full Text

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.87-98
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• 2000

We examine the relative contributions of the electric field and ionospheric conductance to the auroral electrojets. For this purpose we used magnetometer data obtained from the International Magnetospheric Study (IMS) meridian chains of observatories for March 17, 18, and 19, 1978. Based on the study by Allen & Kroehl (1975), we redefine the AU and AL indices by utilizing the magnetic disturbance data obtained from the AE stations located within limited magnetic local time (MLT) sectors; i.e., $1500\leq MLT\leq1800$ and$0000\leq MLT\leq0300$, respectively. The current densities of the eastward and westward electrojets are calculated based on the AU and AL indices thus defined. Under the assumption that the Hall conductance at the dusk sector is mainly caused by the solar EUV radiation, we estimate the electric field contributin to the AU index. Assuming further that electric field distributins at dawn and dusk sectors are comparable, it is also possible to estimate the contribution of the Hall conductance associated at the dusk sector is mainly caused by the solar EUV radiation, we estimate the electric field contribution to the AU index. Assuming further that electric field distributions at dawn and dusk sectors are comparable, it is also possible to estimate the contribution of the Hall conductance associated with auroral particle precipitation to the AL index. From this study it is noted that the electric fields and Hall conductances thus estimated show significant correlations with the AU and AL indices, respectively, suggesting that the AU and AL indices are closely associated with the directly driven and loading-unloading processes of substorms.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.141-144
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• 2015

In this paper we study the transmission of the electrostatic field due to coulomb charges of an individual thundercloud into the midlatitude ionosphere, taking into account the total geomagnetic field integrated Pedersen conductivity of the ionosphere. It is shown that at ionospheric altitudes, a typical thundercloud produces an insignificant electrostatic field whereas a giant thundercloud can drive the horizontal electrostatic field with a magnitude of ${\sim}270{\mu}V/m$ for nighttime conditions.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.11-28
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• 2004

To better understand how high-latitude electric fields influence thermospheric dynamics, winds in the high-latitude lower thermosphere are studied by using the Thermosphere-ionosphere Electrodynamics General Circulation Model developed by the National Conte. for Atmospheric Research (NCAR-TIEGCM). The model is run for the conditions of 1992-1993 southern summer. The association of the model results with the interplanetary magnetic field(IMF) is also examined to determine the influences of the IMF-dependent ionospheric convection on the winds. The wind patterns show good agreement with the WINDII observations, although the model wind speeds are generally weaker than the observations. It is confirmed that the influences of high-latitude ionospheric convection on summertime thermospheric winds are seen down to 105 km. The difference wind, the difference between the winds for IMF$\neq$O and IMF=0, during negative IMF $B_y$ shows a strong anticyclonic vortex while during positive IMF $B_y$ a strong cyclonic vortex down to 105 km. For positive IMF $B_z$ the difference winds are largely confined to the polar cap, while for negative IMF B, they extend down to subauroral latitudes. The IMF $B_z$ -dependent diurnal wind component is strongly correlated with the corresponding component of ionospheric convection velocity down to 108 km and is largely rotational. The influence of IMF by on the lower thermospheric summertime zonal-mean zonal wind is substantial at high latitudes, with maximum wind speeds being $60\;ms^-1$ at 130 km around $77^{\circ}$ magnetic latitude.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.216-233
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• 1995

The distributions of the ionospheric conductivities, electric potential, ionospheric currents, field-aligned currents, Joule heating rate, and particle energy input rate by auroral electrons along with the characteristics of auroral particle spectrum are examined during moderately disturbed period by using the computer code developed by Kamide et al. (1981) and the ionospheric conductivity model developed by Ahn et al. (1995). Since the ground magnetic disturbance data are obtained from a single meridian chain of magnetometers (Alaska meridian chain) for an extended period of time (March 9 - April 27, 1978), they are expected to present the average picture of the electrodynamics over the entire polar ionosphere. A number of global features noted in this study are as follows: (1) The electric potential distribution is characterized by the so-called two cell convection pattern with the positive potential cell in the morning sector extending into the evening sector. (2) The auroral electrojet system is well developed during this time period with the signatures of DP-1 and DP-2 current systems being clearly discernable. It is also noted that the electric field seems to play a more important role than the ionospheric conductivity the conductivity over the poleward half of the westward electrojet in the morning sector while the conductivity enhancement seems to be more important over its equatorward half. (3) The global field-aligned current distribution pattern is quite comparable with the statistical result obtained by Iijima and Potemra (1976). However, the current density of Region 1 is much higher than that of Region 2 current at pointed out by pervious studies (e.g.; Kamide 1988). (4) The Joule heating occurs over a couple of island-like areas, one along the poleward side of the westward electrojet region in the afternoon sector. (5) The maximum average energy of precipitating electrons is found to be in the morning sector (07∼08 MLT) while the maximum energy flux is registered in the postmidnight sector (02 MLT). Thus auroral brightening and enhancement of ionospheric conductivity during disturbed period seem to be more closely associated with enhancement of particle flux rather than hardening of particle energy.

• Journal of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.36 no.spc1
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• pp.109-115
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• 2003

We report the results of the ionospheric measurement obtained from the instruments on board the Korea Multi-Purpose Satellite - 1 (KOMPSAT-l). We observed a deep electron density trough in the nighttime equatorial ionosphere during the great magnetic storm on 15 July 2000. We attribute the phenomena to the up-lifted F-layer caused by the enhanced eastward electric field, while the spacecraft passed underneath the layer. We also present the results of our statistical study on the equatorial plasma bubble formation. We confirm the previous results regarding its seasonal and longitudinal dependence. In addition, we obtain new statistical results of the bubble temperature variations. The whole data set of measurement for more than a year is compared with the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI). It is seen that the features of the electron density and temperature along the magnetic equator are more prominent in the KOMPSAT-l observations than in the IRI model.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.91-91
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• 2011

The passage of the interplanetary discontinuity (i.e., sudden increases in the solar wind speed, density, and IMF strength) was detected by ACE near GSE (x, y, z) ~ (222, -36, 3) Re upstream of Earth around 22:48 UT on November 24, 2008. About 55 min later, this solar wind discontinuity was observed by Geotail near GSE (x, y, z) ~ (23, 18, -7) Re in front of Earth's bow shock. From the propagation time of the solar wind discontinuity between ACE and Geotail, it is expected that the discontinuity front is aligned with the Parker spiral and strikes the postnoon dayside magnetopause first. Using coordinated multi-point measurements (THEMIS and GOES) at or in geosynchronous orbit, we observed a tailward propagating sudden impulse (SI), excited by the interplanetary discontinuity, around 23:50 UT with its front retaining alignment similar to that of solar wind discontinuity. The SI event appears a negative-then-positive variation in the H component at high latitude Chokurdakh (CHD: MLAT ~ 64.7 deg) in the prenoon sector, which is opposite sense of normal SI event. During the positive deflection at CHD, the SuperDARN Hokkaido radar detected the downward motion of the ionosphere, implying westward electric field enhancement, at subauroral latitudes near CHD meridian. In our study we will discuss magnetospheric and ionospheric responses to the passage of the solar wind discontinuity using multi-point observations in space and on the ground.

• Journal of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.36 no.spc1
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• pp.93-99
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• 2003

Various attempts have been made to explain the: pronounced seasonal and universal time (UT) variations of geomagnetic indices. As one of such attempts, we analyze the hourly-averaged auroral electroject indices obtained during the past 20 years. The AU and AL indices maximize during summer and equinoctial months, respectively. By normalizing the contribution of the solar conductivity enhancement to the AU index, or to the eastward electrojet, it is found that the AU also follows the same semiannual variation pattern of the AL index, suggesting that the electric field is the main modulator of the semiannual magnetic variation. The fact that the variation pattern of the yearly-mean AU index follows the mirror image of the AL index provides another indication that the electric field is the main modulator of magnetic disturbance. The pronounced UT variations of the auroral electrojet indices are also noted. To determine the magnetic activity dependence, the probability of recording a given activity level of AU and AL during each UT is examined. The UT variation of the AL index, thus obtained, shows a maximum at around 1200-1800 UT and a minimum around 0000-0800 UT particularly during winter. It is closely associated with the rotation of the geomagnetic pole around the rotational axis, which results in the change of the solar-originated ionospheric conductivity distribution over the polar region. On the other hand the UT variation is prominent during disturbed periods, indicating that the latitudinal mismatch between the AE stations and the auroral electrojet belt is responsible for it. Although not as prominent as the AL index, the probability distribution of the AU also shows two UT peaks. We confirm that the Dst index shows more prominent seasonal variation than the AE indices. However, the UT variation of the Dst index is only noticeable during the main phase of a magnetic storm. It is a combined result of the uneven distribution of the Dst stations and frequent developments of the partial ring current and substorm wedge current preferentially during the main phase.