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Abstract Pc5 (2–7 mHz) ultralow frequency (ULF) waves play a significant role in resonating with particles and transferring energy in the coupled magnetospheric and ionospheric system. Recent studies found that Pc5 ULF waves can be triggered by foreshock transients which can perturb the magnetopause through dynamic pressure variation. However, whether foreshock transient‐driven Pc5 ULF waves are geoeffective and can propagate globally is still poorly understood. In this study, we take advantage of the conjunction between in situ (by the THEMIS probes, Geotail satellite, GOES satellites, and Van Allen probes) and ground‐based (by the all‐sky imager at South Pole and ground‐based magnetometers) observations to simultaneously analyze the waves from the foreshock region to the dayside and nightside magnetosphere. Both of our two events show that the Pc5 ULF waves are generated by foreshock transients in the dayside magnetosphere. The in situ observations by THEMIS A and D and the 2‐D auroral signatures show that the compressional mode waves are likely broadband and coupled to the FLRs with different frequencies and different azimuthal phase speeds. This is the first report that foreshock transients can drive both low‐ and high‐m FLRs, with the azimuthal wave numbers varying from ~5 to ~23. Moreover, the Pc5 ULF waves propagated antisunward to midnight, this can potentially modulate magnetospheric and ionospheric dynamics globally.
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Statistical Characterization of Joule Heating Associated With Ionospheric ULF Perturbations Using SuperDARN Data
Abstract Ultra low frequency (ULF; 1 mHz ‐ several Hz) waves are key to energy transport within the geospace system, yet their contribution to Joule heating in the upper atmosphere remains poorly quantified. This study statistically examines Joule heating associated with ionospheric ULF perturbations using Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) data spanning middle to polar latitudes. Our analysis utilizes high‐time‐resolution measurements from SuperDARN high‐frequency coherent scatter radars operating in a special mode, sampling three “camping beams” approximately every 18 s. We focus on ULF perturbations within the Pc5 frequency range (1.6–6.7 mHz), estimating Joule heating rates from ionospheric electric fields derived from SuperDARN data and height‐integrated Pedersen conductance from empirical models. The analysis includes statistical characterization of Pc5 wave occurrence, electric fields, Joule heating rates, and azimuthal wave numbers. Our results reveal enhanced electric fields and Joule heating rates in the morning and pre‐midnight sectors, even though Pc5 wave occurrences peak in the afternoon. Joule heating is more pronounced in the high‐latitude morning sector during northward interplanetary magnetic field conditions, attributed to local time asymmetry in Pedersen conductance and Pc5 waves driven by Kelvin‐Helmholtz instability. Pc5 waves observed by multiple camping beams predominantly propagate westward at low azimuthal wave numbers , while high‐m waves propagate mainly eastward. Although Joule heating estimates may be underestimated due to assumptions about empirical conductance models and the underestimation of electric fields resulting from SuperDARN line‐of‐sight velocity measurements, these findings offer valuable insights into ULF wave‐related energy dissipation in the geospace system.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2307205
- PAR ID:
- 10578028
- Publisher / Repository:
- DOI PREFIX: 10.1029
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics
- Volume:
- 130
- Issue:
- 3
- ISSN:
- 2169-9380
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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