Dusk Sector Research Articles

Signatures of substorm related overshielding electric field at equatorial latitudes under steady southward IMF Bz during main phase of magnetic storm

During the geomagnetic storm periods, the convection electric field penetrates promptly to equatorial latitudes, causing an eastward electric field in the dayside ionosphere. Occasionally, the polarity of the dayside ionospheric electric field is inverted when the Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF) turns northward. In this paper, interesting observations of the strong westward electric field in the day side equatorial latitudes are presented, as evidenced by strong Counter Electrojet (CEJ) at Indian and Japanese sectors under the steady southward IMF Bz. The westward electric field perturbations are quite large with CEJ amplitude of ∼−120 nT over the Indian sector (14–15 December 2006) and ∼−220 nT for Japanese sector (7–8 November 2004). The plausible mechanisms for the observed overshielding electric fields under steady southward IMF Bz have been investigated in light of the possible role of substorm activity. The clear signatures of substorm were observed at geosynchronous particle flux measurements from LANL (Los Alamos National Laboratory) satellite and associated with sudden decrease in AL index. The observed variations of asymmetric ring current shows the enhancement of Partial Ring Current (PRC) at the dusk sector further supporting the substorm onset during that period which will probably enhance the overshielding due to increased Region 2 Field-Aligned Currents (R2 FACs). The observations of such significantly large amplitudes of CEJ associated with the substorm related overshielding events are sparse and the results bring out the important role of substorm onset and the development of PRC in accordance with the R2 FACs during intense magnetic storms which alter the day time equatorial electric field perturbations.

Positive and negative feedbacks in the magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling

We study dynamics of field-aligned currents (FACs) during the expansion phase (EP) of two selected summer and winter substorms, by applying the magnetogram inversion technique (MIT) to the data of the world network of ground-based stations. The empirical MIT data and the modified Iijima and Potemra (I-P) model are presented. It is supposed a sharp increase in the upward FAC in I-P Region 1 and associated upward inter-hemispheric current in the dusk sector of the summer hemisphere during EP – in correspondence with theoretical models. Simultaneously (relative to the substorm onset time), and with the same value range, the downward inter-hemispheric current should enhance in the conjugate sector of the winter hemisphere. This FACs restructuring scenario in two hemispheres may clarify some of the unresolved issues in substorm physics. E.g., we describe the strong seasonal variation in the magnetic and auroral activity that is practically absent or unknown in literature even for the Northern hemisphere. Trying to answer this and other questions debated in literature, we study and describe strong feedbacks between the intensity of night FACs flowing in/out of each hemisphere, on the one hand, and the ionosphere conductivity or electric field, on the other. These magnetosphere-ionosphere feedbacks cause, in particular, the above inter-hemispheric currents and consequences prior and during the EP of the addressed substorms.

Statistical Analysis of Hiss Waves in Plasmaspheric Plumes Using Van Allen Probe Observations

AbstractPlasmaspheric hiss waves commonly observed in high‐density regions in the Earth's magnetosphere are known to be one of the main contributors to the loss of radiation belt electrons. There has been a lot of effort to investigate the distributions of hiss waves in the plasmasphere, while relatively little attention has been given to those in the plasmaspheric plume. In this study, we present for the first time a statistical analysis of the occurrence and the spatial distribution of wave amplitudes and wave normal angles for hiss waves in plumes using Van Allen Probes observations during the period of October 2012 to December 2016. Statistical results show that a wide range of hiss wave amplitudes in plumes from a few picotesla to >100 pT is observed, but a modest (<20 pT) wave amplitude is more commonly observed regardless of geomagnetic activity in both the midnight‐to‐dawn and dusk sector. By contrast, stronger amplitude hiss occurs preferentially during geomagnetically active times in the dusk sector. The wave normal angles are distributed over a broad range from 0° to 90° with a bimodal distribution: a quasi‐field‐aligned population (<20°) with an occurrence rate of <60% and an oblique one (>50°) with a relative low occurrence rate of ≲20%. Therefore, from a statistical point of view, we confirm that the hiss intensity (a few tens of picotesla) and field‐aligned hiss wave adopted in previous simulation studies are a reasonable assumption but stress that the activity dependence of the wave amplitude should be considered.

Comparison of substorm onsets during different levels of interplanetary magnetic field $$B_{z}$$ B z

The magnetospheric response during the substorm events to solar wind driving, as determined by the level and sign of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) \(B_{z}\), is analysed. Using the superposed epoch analysis, solar wind and geomagnetic conditions under three levels of \(B_{z}\) are characterised, i.e. northward or BZN (\(B_{z} > 0~\hbox {nT}\), 75 events), very weak or BZ0 (\(B_{z } \sim 0~\hbox {nT}\), 78 events) and southward or BZS (\(B_{z} < 0~\hbox {nT}\), 80 events). No northward turning is observed during BZS, while northward turning occurs 20 and 50 min prior to onset, during the BZN and BZ0 classes, respectively. IMF has a strong duskward component and the solar wind speed is also the fastest during BZN onsets. Auroral activity, as measured by the AL index, takes a longer time to decay to preonset values during BZ0 and BZS onsets compared to the BZN onsets. The level of IMF \(B_{z}\) does not seem to influence the oval thickness in the noon sector. The oval is the thinnest during BZ0 events in all the sectors. The rate of auroral widening in the dawn sector is found to be evidently slower than in the dusk sector during the BZS group.

Ionospheric Plasma Irregularities Characterized by the Swarm Satellites: Statistics at High Latitudes

AbstractThe polar ionosphere is often characterized by irregularities and fluctuations in the plasma density. We present a statistical study of ionospheric plasma irregularities based on the observations from the European Space Agency's Swarm mission. The in situ electron density obtained with the Langmuir probe and the total electron content from the onboard global positioning system receiver are used to detect ionospheric plasma irregularities. We derive the irregularity parameters from the electron density in terms of the rate of change of density index and electron density gradients. We also use the rate of change of total electron content index as the irregularity parameter based on the global positioning system data. The background electron density and plasma irregularities are closely controlled by the Earth's magnetic field, with averaged enhancements close to the magnetic poles. The climatological maps in magnetic latitude/magnetic local time coordinates show predominant plasma irregularities near the dayside cusp, polar cap, and nightside auroral oval. These irregularities may be associated with large‐scale plasma structures such as polar cap patches, auroral blobs, auroral particle precipitation, and the equatorward wall of the ionospheric trough. The spatial distributions of irregularities depend on the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF). By filtering the irregularity parameters according to IMF By, we find a clear asymmetry of the spatial distribution in the cusp and polar cap between the Northern (NH) and Southern Hemispheres (SH). For negative IMF By, irregularities are stronger in the dusk (dawn) sector in the NH (SH) and vice versa. This feature is in agreement with the high‐latitude ionospheric convection pattern that is regulated by the IMF By component. The plasma irregularities are also controlled by the solar activity within the current declining solar cycle. The irregularities in the SH polar cap show a seasonal variation with higher values from September to April, while the seasonal variation in the NH is only obvious around solar maximum during 2014–2015.

Evolution of the Subauroral Polarization Stream Oscillations During the Severe Geomagnetic Storm on 20 November 2003

AbstractWe report multisatellite observations of the oscillations in the subauroral polarization stream (SAPS) during a severe magnetic storm on 20 November 2003. The SAPS oscillations (SAPSOs) occurred during the main phase of the magnetic storm when the y component of the southward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF BY) turned from positive to negative. The SAPSOs were first observed in the premidnight sector and propagated toward the dusk sector. The formation and evolution of SAPSO corresponded well with the plasma sheet ions injection and precipitation, indicating that the SAPSOs are possibly generated by the interaction between the hot plasma sheet and the cold plasmasphere under particular conditions (e.g., change of the polarity of IMF BY accompanied with a sudden enhancement of plasma sheet ion density). The hemispheric asymmetry of the SAPS channels is suggested to be related to the hemispheric differences in the ionospheric plasma condition and the ionospheric convection.

Fair-weather potential gradient and its coupling with ionospheric potential from three Antarctic stations: Case studies

Simultaneous measurements of potential gradient (PG) from Antarctica stations, Vostok (78° 27′ S, 106° 52′ E), Dome C (75° 06′ S, 123° 20′ E) and Maitri (70° 45′ S, 11°44′ E) during magnetically disturbed days under fair-weather conditions are discussed. An attempt has been made to study the influence of solar wind-magnetosphere interaction on PG. During magnetic daytime (0600–1800 UT), linear relation between ΔPG and associated ionospheric potential from Dome C and Vostok are observed. The liner response is poor during the magnetic night time (1800-0600 UT). This trend has been addressed by the sun-aligned two-cell plasma convection flow and its differential motion over the stations. It is found that linear relation decreased when negative convection pattern moves towards, overhead and away from the stations under dawnward motion of plasma (IMF By < 0). In addition, the ionospheric potential at dusk sector modulated the PG if the plasma flow remained stable for more than 1 h. The results further showed that the scale size factor between ionospheric potential and PG may influence up to some extent in coupling efficiency. Month-wise Fair-weather PG pattern effectively accounts the ambient PG variation.

First MMS Observation of Energetic Particles Trapped in High‐Latitude Magnetic Field Depressions

AbstractWe present a case study of the Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) observations of the Southern Hemispheric dayside magnetospheric boundaries under southward interplanetary magnetic field direction with strong By component. During this event MMS encountered several magnetic field depressions characterized by enhanced plasma beta and high fluxes of high‐energy electrons and ions at the dusk sector of the southern cusp region that resemble previous Cluster and Polar observations of cusp diamagnetic cavities. Based on the expected maximum magnetic shear model and magnetohydrodynamic simulations, we show that for the present event the diamagnetic cavity‐like structures were formed in an unusual location. Analysis of the composition measurements of ion velocity distribution functions and magnetohydrodynamics simulations show clear evidence of the creation of a new kind of magnetic bottle structures by component reconnection occurring at lower latitudes. We propose that the high‐energy particles trapped in these cavities can sometimes end up in the loss cone and leak out, providing a likely explanation for recent high‐energy particle leakage events observed in the magnetosheath.

On the Feasibility of Interhemispheric Patch Detection Using Ground-Based GNSS Measurements

Dual-frequency GNSS data processing is currently one of the most useful techniques for sounding the ionosphere. Hence, this work was aimed at the evaluation of ground-based GNSS data for the continuous monitoring of polar patches in both hemispheres. In this contribution, we proposed to use epoch-wise relative STEC values in order to detect these structures. The applied indicator is defined as a difference between an undifferenced geometry-free linear combination of GNSS signals and the background ionospheric variations, which were assessed with an iterative algorithm of four-degree polynomial fitting. The occurrence of patches during the St. Patrick geomagnetic storm was performed for validation purposes. The first part of the work confirmed the applicability of the relative STEC values for such investigations. On the other hand, it also revealed the limitations related to the inhomogeneous distribution of stations, which may affect the results in both hemispheres. This was confirmed with a preliminary cross-evaluation of GNSS and in situ SWARM datasets. Apart from the periods with a well-established coincidence, the opposite situation, when both methods indicated different parts of the polar ionosphere, was also observed. The second part of this contribution depicted the feasibility of continuous patch detection for both regions, and thus the interhemispheric comparison of the analyzed structures. It has demonstrated the strong disproportion between patches in the northern and southern hemispheres. This discrepancy seems to be related to the different amount of plasma propagating from the dusk sector, which is justified by the values of relative STEC at mid-latitudes. The observed structures are also strongly dependent on the orientation of the interplanetary magnetic field.

Plasmaspheric Hiss: Coherent and Intense

AbstractIntense ~300‐Hz to 1.0‐kHz plasmaspheric hiss was studied using Polar plasma wave data. It is found that the waves are coherent in all local time sectors with the wave coherency occurring in approximately three‐ to five‐wave cycle packets. The plasmaspheric hiss in the dawn and local noon time sector are found to be substorm (AE*) and storm (SYM‐H*) dependent. The local noon sector is also solar wind pressure dependent. It is suggested that coherent chorus monochromatic subelements enter the plasmasphere (as previously suggested by ray tracing models) to explain these plasmaspheric hiss features. The presence of intense, coherent plasmaspheric hiss in the local dusk and local midnight time sectors is surprising and more difficult to explain. For the dusk sector waves, either local in situ plasmaspheric wave generation or propagation from the dayside plasmasphere is possible. There is little evidence to support substorm generation of the midnight sector plasmaspheric hiss found in this study. One possible explanation is propagation from the local noon sector. The combination of high wave intensity and coherency at all local times strengthens the suggestion that the electron slot is formed during substorm intervals instead of during geomagnetic quiet (by incoherent waves). Plasmaspheric hiss is found to propagate at all angles relative to the ambient magnetic field, θkB. Circular, elliptical, and linear polarized plasmaspheric hiss have been detected. No obvious, strong relationship between the wave polarization and θkB was found. This information of hiss properties should be useful in modeling wave‐particle interactions within the plasmasphere.

Statistical Analysis of SAR Arc Detachment From the Main Oval Based on 11‐Year, All‐Sky Imaging Observation at Athabasca, Canada

AbstractWe report the first statistical analysis of stable auroral red (SAR) arc detachments from the main auroral oval, using 630‐nm all‐sky cooled‐Charge Coupled Device images obtained at Athabasca (magnetic latitude = 61.7°N), Canada. SAR arc detachments from the main oval can be an important way of monitoring the characteristics of ring current particle injection in the inner magnetosphere. We analyzed all‐sky images obtained for 11 years from 2006 to 2016 and found 163 SAR arc detachment events. The SAR arc detachments tend to occur in the premidnight sector, indicating the ring current ion drift to the dusk sector. The SAR arc detachments also tend to occur at the beginning of the substorm recovery phase, suggesting that the SAR arcs detach from the main oval as the main auroral oval returns to higher latitudes. The equatorward velocities of detached SAR arcs are from −100 m/s (poleward) to +200 m/s (equatorward), corresponding to magnetospheric electric fields from −1 to +2 mV/m.

Drift Resonance of Compressional ULF Waves and Substorm‐Injected Protons From Multipoint THEMIS Measurements

AbstractA compressional Pc5 wave associated with localized hot proton injection was observed by the five THEMIS (Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms) spacecraft in the dusk sector of the Earth's magnetosphere at L ∼ 10RE on 21 May 2007. The wave magnetic field perturbation transverse to the background magnetic field was primarily poloidal, in agreement with the predominately azimuthal wave vector direction (with westward phase velocity). The observation followed two consecutive substorms, when the cloud of energetic particles comprised of the lower‐energy protons from the earlier substorm was mixed with higher‐energy protons from the subsequent one. The clear signatures of the wave‐particle drift resonance of protons modulated by the wave were observed. The wave period was found to be about 2 times longer than the corresponding Alfvén wave eigenmode period on the same L‐shells calculated with the THEMIS data. The increase of the particle energy with the distance from the Earth and the observed strong dependence of the wave frequency on the azimuthal wave number constitutes conditions for the gradient instability of the drift compressional mode (for the Alfvén mode one supposes the particle energy decrease with radial distance). Based on these results, we conclude that the observed wave was the drift compressional mode generated by the gradient instability.

Characteristics of the electrojet during intense magnetic disturbances

Abstract. Hall current variations in different time sectors during six magnetic storms from the summer seasons in 2003 and 2005 (Ritter, 2018) are examined, namely three storms in the day–night meridional sector and three storms in the dawn–dusk sector. The sequence of the phenomena, their structure and positions, and the strength of the polar (PE) and the auroral (AE) Hall electrojets were investigated using scalar magnetic field measurements obtained from the CHAllenging Minisatellite Payload (CHAMP) satellite in accordance with the study of Ritter et al. (2004a). We analyzed the correlations of the PE and AE as well as the obtained regression relations of the magnetic latitude MLat and the electrojet current intensity I with auroral and ring current activity, the interplanetary magnetic field, and the Newell et al. (2007) coupling function for the state of the solar wind. The following typical characteristics of the electrojets were revealed: The PE appears in the daytime sector at MLat ∼80∘–73∘, with a westward or an eastward direction depending on the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) By component (By &lt; 0 nT or By &gt; 0 nT). Changes in the current flow direction in the PE can occur repeatedly during the storm, but only due to changes in the IMF By orientation. The PE increases with the intensity of the IMF By component from I∼0.4 A m−1 for By∼0 nT up to I∼1.0 A m−1 for By∼23 nT. The MLat position of the PE does not depend on the direction and intensity of the By component. There is no connection between MLat and I in the PE and the symmetric part of the magnetospheric ring current (index SymH). There is a correlation between I in the PE and the AsyH index, but only a very weak interconnection of this index with the MLat of the PE. Substorms occurring before the storm's main phase are accompanied by the appearance of an eastward electrojet (EE) at MLat ∼64∘ as well as that of a westward electrojet (WE). In the nighttime sector, a WE appears at MLat ∼64∘. During the main phase both electrojets persist. The daytime EE and the nighttime WE shift toward sub-auroral latitudes of MLat ∼56∘ and grow in intensity up to I∼1.5 A m−1. The WE is then located about 6∘ closer to the pole than the EE during evening hours and about 2∘–3∘ closer during daytime hours.

Global Distribution of Proton Rings and Associated Magnetosonic Wave Instability in the Inner Magnetosphere

AbstractUsing the Van Allen Probe‐A observations, we obtained the global distribution of proton rings and calculated the linear wave growth rate of fast magnetosonic (MS) waves in the region L ~3–6. Our statistical and calculated results demonstrate that MS waves can be locally excited on the dayside outside the plasmapause, as well as in the dusk sector inside the plasmapause. The frequency range of unstable MS waves is strongly modulated by the ratio of the proton ring velocity (Vr) to the local Alfvén speed (VA). High harmonic MS waves (ω &gt; 20ΩH+) can be excited outside the plasmapause where Vr/VA &lt; 1, while low harmonic MS waves (ω &lt; 10ΩH+) with frequencies less than ~30 Hz are found to be excited both outside and inside the plasmapause where 1 &lt; Vr/VA &lt; 2.

First Evidence of Persistent Nighttime Temperature Structures in the Neutral Thermosphere of Mars

AbstractUsing two Mars years of data collected by the Neutral Gas and Ion Mass Spectrometer on the Mars Atmosphere and Volatiles EvolutioN spacecraft, we reconstruct the local solar time structure of the Martian equatorial thermosphere for the dawn and dusk sectors. The results indicate the presence of several persistent features near the dusk and dawn terminators appearing in the neutral temperature and in the O, Ar, N2, and CO2 densities. The dusk temperature features include a minimum at the terminator surrounded by two local maxima with amplitudes between 20 and 40 K. A nighttime temperature enhancement occurs at a local solar time of 4–5 hr and has an amplitude between 50 and 100 K relative to the surrounding temperatures. The observed enhancements are interpreted to be a result of either nighttime dynamical heating caused by converging and downwelling winds or of a terminator wave originating in the lower atmosphere.

Field‐Aligned Currents in Saturn's Magnetosphere: Observations From the F‐Ring Orbits

AbstractWe investigate the azimuthal magnetic field signatures associated with high‐latitude field‐aligned currents observed during Cassini's F‐ring orbits (October 2016–April 2017). The overall ionospheric meridional current profiles in the northern and southern hemispheres, that is, the regions poleward and equatorward of the field‐aligned currents, differ most from the 2008 observations. We discuss these differences in terms of the seasonal change between data sets and local time (LT) differences, as the 2008 data cover the nightside while the F‐ring data cover the post‐dawn and dusk sectors in the northern and southern hemispheres, respectively. The F‐ring field‐aligned currents typically have a similar four current sheet structure to those in 2008. We investigate the properties of the current sheets and show that the field‐aligned currents in a hemisphere are modulated by that hemisphere's “planetary period oscillation” (PPO) systems. We separate the PPO‐independent and PPO‐related currents in both hemispheres using their opposite symmetry. The average PPO‐independent currents peak at ~1.5 MA/rad just equatorward of the open closed field line boundary, similar to the 2008 observations. However, the PPO‐related currents in both hemispheres are reduced by ~50% to ~0.4 MA/rad. This may be evidence of reduced PPO amplitudes, similar to the previously observed weaker equatorial oscillations at similar dayside LTs. We do not detect the PPO current systems' interhemispheric component, likely a result of the weaker PPO‐related currents and their closure within the magnetosphere. We also do not detect previously proposed lower latitude discrete field‐aligned currents that act to “turn off” the PPOs.

Survey of ionospheric Pc3-5 ULF wave signatures in SuperDARN high time resolution data.

Ionospheric signatures of ultra-low frequency (ULF) wave in the Pc3-5 band (1.7-40.0 mHz) were surveyed using ~6 s resolution data from Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) radars in the northern hemisphere from 2010 to 2016. Numerical experiments were conducted to derive wave period dependent thresholds for automated detection of ULF waves using the Lomb-Scargle periodogram technique. The spatial occurrence distribution, frequency characteristics, seasonal effects, solar wind condition and geomagnetic activity level dependence have been studied. Pc5 wave events were found to dominate at high and polar latitudes with a most probable frequency of 2.08 ± 0.07 mHz while Pc3-4 waves were relatively more common at midlatitudes on the nightside with a most probable frequency of 11.39 ± 0.14 mHz. At high latitudes, the occurrence rate of Pc4-5 waves maximizes in the dusk sector and during winter. These events tend to occur during low geomagnetic activity and northward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF). For the category of radially bounded but longitudinally extended Pc4 events in the duskside ionosphere, an internal driving source is suggested. At midlatitudes, the Pc3-4 occurrence rate maximizes premidnight and during equinox. This tendency becomes more prominent with increasing auroral electrojet (AE) index and during southward IMF, which suggests many of these events are Pi2 and Pc3-4 pulsations associated with magnetotail dynamics during active geomagnetic intervals. The overall occurrence rate of Pc3-5 wave events is lowest in summer, which suggests that the ionospheric conductivity plays a role in controlling ULF wave occurrence.

Combined Contribution of Solar Illumination, Solar Activity, and Convection to Ion Upflow Above the Polar Cap

AbstractBy analyzing a five‐year period (2010–2014) of Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) plasma data, we investigated ion upflow occurrence, speed, density, and flux above the polar cap in the northern hemisphere under different solar zenith angle (SZA), solar activity (F10.7), and convection speed. Higher upflow occurrence rates in the dawn sector are associated with regions of higher convection speed, while higher upflow flux in the dusk sector is associated with higher density. The upflow occurrence increases with convection speed and solar activity but decreases with SZA. Upflow occurrence is the lowest when the SZA &gt; 100° and the convection speeds are low. While, the upflow velocity and flux show a clear seasonal dependence with higher speed in the winter and higher flux in the summer during low convection conditions. However, they are detected for the first time to be both higher in summer during high convection conditions. These results suggest that ion upflow in the polar cap is controlled by the combination of convection, solar activity, and solar illumination.

The Morphology of the Solar Wind Magnetic Field Draping on the Dayside of Mars and Its Variability

AbstractThe magnetic field draping pattern in the magnetosheath of Mars is of interest for what it tells us about both the solar wind interaction with the Mars obstacle and the use of the field measured there as a proxy for the upstream interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) clock angle. We apply a time‐dependent, global magnetohydrodynamic model toward quantifying the spatial and temporal variations of the magnetic field draping direction on the Martian dayside above 500‐km altitude. The magnetic field and plasma are self‐consistently solved over one Mars rotation period, with the dynamics of the field morphology considered as the result of the rotation of the crustal field orientation. Our results show how the magnetic field direction on the plane perpendicular to the solar wind flow direction gradually departs from the IMF as the solar wind penetrates toward the obstacle and into the tail region. This clock angle departure occurs mainly inside the magnetic pileup region and tailward of the terminator plane, exhibiting significant dawn‐dusk and north‐south asymmetries. Inside the dayside sheath region, the field direction has the greatest departure from the IMF‐perpendicular component direction downstream of the quasi‐parallel bow shock, which for the nominal Parker spiral is over the dawn quadrant. Thus, the best region to obtain an IMF clock angle proxy is within the dayside magnetosheath at sufficiently high altitudes, particularly over subsolar and dusk sectors. Our results illustrate that the crustal field has only a mild influence on the magnetic field draping direction within the magnetosheath region.

Large‐Scale Structure of Subauroral Polarization Streams During the Main Phase of a Severe Geomagnetic Storm

AbstractIn this study, we present multisatellite observations of the large‐scale structures of subauroral polarization streams (SAPS) during the main phase of a severe geomagnetic storm that occurred on 31 March 2001. Observations by the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program F12 to F15 satellites indicate that the SAPS were first generated around the dusk sector at the beginning of the main phase. The SAPS channel then expanded toward the midnight sector and moved to lower latitudes as the main phase progressed. The peak velocity, latitudinal width, latitudinal alignment, and longitudinal span of the SAPS channel were highly dynamic during the storm main phase. The large westward velocities of the SAPS were located in the region of low electron densities, associated with low ionospheric conductivity. The large‐scale structures of the SAPS also corresponded closely to those of the region‐2 field‐aligned currents, which were mainly determined by the azimuthal pressure gradient of the ring current.