Effects of sector structure of the interplanetary magnetic field on the upper mesosphere–lower thermosphere dynamics

Abstract

In this paper we study the influence of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) polarity changes caused by the Earth passing through the IMF sector boundary on the dynamic processes taking place in neutral atmosphere within the altitude interval of the upper mesosphere–lower thermosphere (83–101km). The analysis has revealed the influence of the IMF sector structure on dynamics of the upper mesosphere–lower thermosphere. There has been a significant seasonal variation of the wind reaction to the IMF polarity changes observed. The influence of the IMF polarity changes on neutral atmosphere dynamics within the altitude range of 83–101km is most pronounced in the zonal component of neural wind when the IMF polarity changes from negative to positive in all the seasons except for spring and when IMF polarity changes from positive to negative – in spring only.