Violation of Hemispheric Symmetry in Integrated Poynting Flux via an Empirical Model.

Abstract

For southward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) during local summer, the hemispherically integrated Poynting flux estimated by FAST‐satellite‐derived empirical models is significantly larger for the northern hemisphere (NH) than for the southern hemisphere (SH). In order to test whether the difference is statistically significant, the model uncertainties have been estimated by dividing the data sets for each hemisphere into two nonintersecting sets, and separately constructing the model using each of the four sets. The model uncertainty appears to be smaller than the estimated asymmetry. The asymmetry is mostly absent when the IMF is northward, except there is some evidence that it may actually reverse during local winter. The phenomena is coupled with what appears to be a more distinct two‐cell convection pattern in the NH, and a possibly greater cusp contribution in the SH. All this suggests an effect of magnetosphere‐ionosphere‐thermosphere coupling, probably related to asymmetries in Earth's geomagnetic field.