Abstract
AbstractThe term of “polar cap hot patch” is a newly identified high‐density plasma irregularity at high latitudes, which is associated with high electron temperature and particle precipitation, while a classical polar cap patch has lower electron temperature. To investigate characteristics of hot patches versus classical patches, five years of in situ database of plasma observations from the DMSP satellites was analyzed. For the first time, we show how the ion/electron temperature ratio (or temperature difference) can be used to distinguish between classical and hot patches. For classical patches (Ti/Te > 0.8 or Te < Ti + 600 K), the vertical ion flux is generally downward. For hot patches (Ti/Te < 0.8 or Te > Ti + 600 K), the vertical ion flux is generally upward. The highest upflow occurrence was found near the polar cap boundary, associated with hot patches, particle precipitation, strong convection speed, and localized field‐aligned currents. This result shows that the polar cap hot patches may play a very important role in solar wind‐magnetosphere‐ionosphere coupling processes.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
