Characterization of the electric potential distribution and large scale auroral zone flows in the ionosphere

Abstract

In this investigation, we examine the latitude distribution of convective F region ion drifts at latitudes below the convection reversal boundary. We express latitude variations in terms of an electrostatic potential distribution to determine the sensitivity to interplanetary conditions, magnetic activity, and local time. We use a Gaussian curve segment to best represent the distribution of the potential equatorward of the polar cap and find the Gaussian half width is dependent on the potential at the convection reversal boundary with the half width being larger on the duskside than on the dawnside. We also find this parameter is dependent on local time as well as Kp. In all cases, the half width shows a greater variability on the duskside than on the dawnside.