Inertia of Ionospheric Conductance During Electron Precipitation Events.

Using the SuperThermal Electron Transport (STET) model coupled with the Super‐thermal Proton Electron Atomic Hydrogen—tRansport in the Ionosphere and Thermosphere (SPEAH‐RIT) codes, we demonstrate that temporal variability of ionospheric conductance is defined by several time scales: the temporal variations of the magnetospheric source, the start time of electron precipitation, and the termination of the corresponding source. In these cases, the time scales are defined by dissipation of energetic electrons and effective recombination processes. The results presented in this paper were applied in the regions of pulsating aurora and polar arcs, demonstrating the fact that ionospheric conductance requires some time to form and decay. These time delays constitute an effective "inertia" in the conductance calculation which is not accounted for in many global models which assume an instantaneous connection between precipitation and conductance. Ionospheric conductance inertia influences the temporal variation in ionospheric and magnetospheric electric fields, and as a result, impacts magnetosphere‐ionosphere (MI) dynamics on a global scale. Plain Language Summary: We demonstrate in this manuscript that temporal variability of ionospheric conductance is defined by several temporal scales and has inertias to its development and decay. Ionospheric conductance inertia influences the temporal variation in ionospheric and magnetospheric electric fields, and as a result, the further reconfiguration of electron precipitation dynamics. The results presented in this paper were applied in the regions of pulsating aurora and polar arcs clearly demonstrate an effective "inertia" of ionospheric system to electron precipitation dynamics. Key Points: Ionospheric conductance is the system response to electron precipitation in the regions of pulsating and discrete aurorasIonospheric conductance carries the inertias of its development and decayConductance formation in pulsating aurora and discrete auroral arcs are defined by multiple temporal scales [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]