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Abstract This work presents an algorithm for automatic detection of anomalous electron heating (AEH) events in the auroral E‐region ionosphere using data from the Poker Flat Incoherent Scatter Radar (PFISR). The algorithm considers both E‐region electron temperature and magnetically conjugate electric field measurements. Application of this algorithm to 14 years of PFISR data spanning 2010 through 2023 detected 505 AEH events. Measured electron temperatures increase linearly with plasma drift speeds. Statistical trends of AEH occurrence as a function of space weather indices (AE and F10.7) demonstrate correlations with the solar cycle and geomagnetic activity levels. The magnetic local time occurrence rates show preferences for dusk and dawn with most events in the dusk sector. Observed AEH events tend to appear in regions of relatively low electron density and do not appear inside intense auroral arcs with high electron density. Furthermore, AEH detection requires a higher electric field than predicted by the threshold for a positive growth rate of the Farley‐Buneman instability (FBI), according to linear fluid theory. The implications of these findings for kinetic theories of FBI and AEH are discussed. 

Pulsating aurora are common diffuse-like aurora. Studies have suggested that they contain higher energy particles than other types and are possibly linked to substorm activity. There has yet to be a quantitative statistical study of the variation in pulsating aurora energy content related to substorms. We analyzed the inverted energy content from 53 events using the Poker Flat Incoherent Scatter Radar. To reduce the uncertainty, we split the differential energy flux into low and high energy using the limit of 30 keV. We also analyzed the lower altitude boundary of the electron density profile, characterized by a number density of > 1 0 10 m −3 , and used this as a proxy for high energy. We compared both of these to magnetic local time (MLT), AE index, and temporal proximity to substorm onset. There was a slight trend in MLT, but a much stronger one in relation to both substorm onset and AE index. For higher AE and closer to onset the total energy flux and flux above 30 keV increased. In addition, this higher energy remained enhanced for an hour after substorm onset. Our results confirm the high energy nature of pulsating aurora, demonstrate the connection to substorms, and imply their importance to coupling between the magnetosphere and atmosphere. 

Magnetospheric precipitation plays an important role for the coupling of Magnetosphere, Ionosphere, and Thermosphere (M-I-T) systems. Particles from different origins could be energized through various physical mechanisms and in turn disturb the Ionosphere, the ionized region of the Earth’s atmosphere that is important for telecommunication and spacecraft operations. Known to cause aurora, bright displays of light across the night sky, magnetospheric particle precipitation, modifies ionospheric conductance further affecting the plasma convection, field-aligned (FAC) and ionospheric currents, and ionospheric/thermospheric temperature and densities. Therefore, understanding the properties of different sources of magnetospheric precipitation and their relative roles on electrodynamic coupling of M-I across a broad range of spatiotemporal scales is crucial. In this paper, we detail some of the important open questions regarding the origins of magnetospheric particle precipitation and how precipitation affects ionospheric conductance. In a companion paper titled “The Significance of Magnetospheric Precipitation for the Coupling of Magnetosphere-Ionosphere-Thermosphere Systems: Effects on Ionospheric Conductance”, we describe how particle precipitation affects the vertical structure of the ionospheric conductivity and provide recommendations to improve its modelling. 

We use simultaneous auroral imaging, radar flows, and total electron content (TEC) measurements over Alaska to examine whether there is a direct connection of large-scale traveling ionospheric disturbances (LSTIDs) to auroral streamers and associated flow channels having significant ground magnetic decreases. Observations from seven nights with clearly observable flow channels and/or auroral streamers were selected for analysis. Auroral observations allow identification of streamers, and TEC observations detect ionization enhancements associated with streamer electron precipitation. Radar observations allow direct detection of flow channels. The TEC observations show direct connection of streamers to TIDs propagating equatorward from the equatorward boundary of the auroral oval. The TIDs are also distinguished from the streamers to which they connect by their wave-like TEC fluctuations moving more slowly equatorward than the TEC enhancements from streamer electron precipitation. TIDs previously observed propagating equatorward from the auroral oval have been identified as LSTIDs. Thus, the TIDs here are likely LSTIDs, but we lack sufficient TEC coverage necessary to demonstrate that they are indeed large scale. Furthermore, each of our events shows TID’s connection to groups of a few streamers and flow channels over a period in the order of 15 min and a longitude range of ∼15–20°, and not to single streamers. (Groups of streamers are common during substorms. However, it is not currently known if streamers and associated flow channels typically occur in such groups.) We also find evidence that a flow channel must lead to a sufficiently large ionospheric current for it to lead to a detectable LSTID, with a few tens of nT ground magnetic field decreases not being sufficient. 

Abstract Joule heating deposits a significant amount of energy into the high‐latitude ionosphere and is an important factor in many magnetosphere‐ionosphere‐thermosphere coupling processes. We consider the relationship between localized temperature enhancements in polar cap measured with the Resolute Bay Incoherent Scatter Radar‐North (RISR‐N) and the orientation of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF). Based on analysis of 10 years of data, RISR‐N most commonly observes ion heating in the noon sector under northwards IMF. We interpret heating events in that sector as being primarily driven by sunwards plasma convection associated with lobe reconnection. We attempt to model two of the observed temperature enhancements with a data‐driven first principles model of ionospheric plasma transport and dynamics, but fail to fully reproduce the ion temperature enhancements. However, evaluating the ion energy equation using the locally measured ion velocities reproduces the observed ion temperature enhancements. This result indicates that current techniques for estimating global plasma convection pattern are not adequately capturing mesoscale flows in the polar cap, and this can result in underestimation of the energy deposition into the ionosphere and thermosphere.