Thermospheric response to ion heating in the dayside cusp

Abstract

Recent observations from the CHAMP satellite indicate that neutral density enhancements are common in the northern dayside cusp. The neutral density in this region can be nearly a factor of 2 larger than in adjacent regions of the thermosphere on the poleward and equatorward sides of the cusp. The presence of density enhancements implies that the neutral atmosphere is being heated in the cusp region causing upwelling. A high-resolution model of the global thermosphere is used to study the thermospheric response to heating in the northern dayside cusp. It is found that heating in the cusp results in the creation of a neutral fountain. Specifically, upward drift of the thermosphere within the cusp region is followed at higher altitudes by poleward and equatorward movement out of the cusp region and the gradual subsidence of the neutral gas. Density enhancements of the magnitude observed by the CHAMP satellite occur in the model results for sufficiently strong heating in the cusp. Neutral temperature enhancements also occur and are strongest near the poleward and equatorward boundaries of the cusp region.