1. Interhemispheric Asymmetry in the Seasonal Ionospheric Outflow.
- Author
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Nowrouzi, N. and Walsh, B. M.
- Subjects
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SUMMER storms , *SOLAR ultraviolet radiation , *MAGNETIC storms , *SOLAR cycle , *MASS spectrometry , *SUMMER , *STATISTICAL physics - Abstract
A comprehensive statistical study is conducted on O+ and H+ outflows obtained from the TEAMS/FAST data during the 23rd solar cycle (1996–2007). The study investigates interhemispheric asymmetry in ionospheric outflows during local summer, winter, and equinox seasons. Data are classified into two distinct periods: the pre‐storm and geomagnetic storm phases. Numerous statistical asymmetries are identified. The findings indicate that the dayside cusp consistently demonstrates more outflow rates of O+ and H+ in the northern hemisphere than southern hemisphere during geomagnetic storms in all seasons as well as during the pre‐storm period in the summer season with the exception of H+ during summer storms. Conversely, the nightside O+ and H+ outflow rates are higher in the southern hemisphere during pre‐storm and storm periods in the summer season. Additionally, the dawnside and duskside outflow rates of O+ and H+ are predominantly stronger in the southern hemisphere. Plain Language Summary: The Earth's hemispheres receive different solar extreme ultraviolet radiation levels in different local seasons. In addition, there is a displacement between Earth's magnetic and geographic poles. Both mentioned factors cause interhemispheric asymmetries in ionospheric parameters. For the first time, this study investigates asymmetry in O+ and H+ ionospheric outflows between the northern and southern hemispheres by focusing on similar local seasons with comparable solar radiation levels. Data from the FAST/Time‐of‐flight Energy Angle Mass Spectrograph (TEAMS) instrument (1996–2007) are used for storms and pre‐storms. Hemispherical ionospheric outflows are categorized into summer, winter, and equinox and are spatially averaged in the polar regions. Findings reveal asymmetric ion outflows between hemispheres. The dayside cusp outflows are higher in the northern hemisphere than in the southern hemisphere during geomagnetic storms in all seasons except for H+ in summer. Conversely, nightside O+ and H+ outflows are more in the southern hemisphere than in the northern hemisphere during pre‐storm and storm periods in summer. Additionally, in dawnside and duskside, O+ and H+ outflows are predominantly stronger in the southern hemisphere than in the northern hemisphere. Key Points: 11‐year statistics find the northern and southern hemispheres exhibit asymmetric ion outflow even during similar local seasonsDuring storms, the cusp dayside exhibits higher O+ and H+ outflow rates in the northern hemisphere compared to the southern hemisphereThe dawnside and duskside O+ and H+ outflow rates are stronger in the southern hemisphere than in the northern hemisphere [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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