Statistical Patterns of Ionospheric Convection Derived From Mid‐latitude, High‐Latitude, and Polar SuperDARN HF Radar Observations

• Published in: Journal of geophysical research. Space physics Vol. 123; no. 4; pp. 3196 - 3216
• Main Authors: Thomas, E. G., Shepherd, S. G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.04.2018
• Subjects: convection electric field; empirical model; high‐frequency radar; statistical model
• ISSN: 2169-9380; 2169-9402
• DOI: 10.1002/2018JA025280

Over the last decade, the Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) has undergone a dramatic expansion in the Northern Hemisphere with the addition of more than a dozen radars offering improved coverage at mid‐latitudes (50°–60° magnetic latitude) and in the polar cap (80°–90° magnetic latitude). In this study, we derive a statistical model of ionospheric convection (TS18) using line‐of‐sight velocity measurements from the complete network of mid‐latitude, high‐latitude, and polar radars for the years 2010–2016. These climatological patterns are organized by solar wind, interplanetary magnetic field (IMF), and dipole tilt angle conditions. We find that for weak solar wind driving conditions the TS18 model patterns are largely similar to the average patterns obtained using high‐latitude radar data only. For stronger solar wind driving the inclusion of mid‐latitude radar data at the equatorward extent of the ionospheric convection can increase the measured cross‐polar cap potential (ΦPC) by as much as 40%. We also derive an alternative model organized by the Kp index to better characterize the statistical convection under a range of magnetic activity conditions. These Kp patterns exhibit similar IMF By dependencies as the TS18 model results and demonstrate a linear increase in ΦPC with increasing Kp for a given IMF orientation. Overall, the mid‐latitude radars provide a better specification of the flows within the nightside Harang reversal region for moderate to strong solar wind driving or geomagnetic activity, while the polar radars improve the quality of velocity measurements in the deep polar cap under all conditions. Key Points We derive an empirical model of ionospheric convection including mid‐latitude and polar SuperDARN HF radar velocity measurements for the first time Inclusion of mid‐latitude radar data can increase the total measured cross‐polar cap potential drop by as much as 40% Model provides a better specification of plasma flows in the deep polar cap and nightside Harang reversal region