Asymmetric DE3 causes WN3 in the ionosphere

• Published in: Journal of atmospheric and solar-terrestrial physics Vol. 173; pp. 14 - 22
• Main Authors: Jiang, Jinzhe, Wan, Weixing, Ren, Zhipeng, Yue, Xinan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.08.2018
• ISSN: 1364-6826; 1879-1824
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jastp.2018.04.006

This study investigates a mechanism to generate the wavenumber-3 longitude variation in the ionosphere, using the simulations with the Global Coupled Ionosphere Thermosphere Electrodynamics Model, developed by the Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (GCITEM-IGGCAS). Due to the asymmetry of geomagnetic field, the asymmetric Hough mode of diurnal eastward wavenumber-3 (DE3) also produces the WN3 structure in the ionosphere by coupling with the magnetic line. The densities of the neutral mass and the plasmas in the ionosphere are studied in detail. The results show a clear WN3 pattern driven by tide's electro-dynamical coupling. We then conclude that the asymmetric component of the DE3 can also cause the WN3 structure in the ionosphere, which confirms the assumption that more than one source could generate WN3 structure in previous studies. •Two Hough modes of DE3 tide and two effect mechanisms are combined in the simulations to study the impact on ionosphere.•The anti-symmetric mode of DE3 generates a WN3 pattern by coupling with the Earth magnetic fields.•The asymmetry of the Earth magnetic field makes the anti-symmetric tide mode to cause a "degenerate" structure.