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Redistribution of H atoms in the upper atmosphere during geomagnetic storms
Author(s) -
Qin Jianqi,
Waldrop Lara,
Makela Jonathan J.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of geophysical research: space physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2169-9402
pISSN - 2169-9380
DOI - 10.1002/2017ja024489
Subject(s) - thermosphere , exosphere , ionosphere , plasmasphere , geomagnetic storm , atmospheric sciences , airglow , ring current , physics , magnetosphere , aeronomy , storm , atomic physics , geophysics , ion , solar wind , meteorology , plasma , quantum mechanics
Geocoronal H emission data acquired by NASA's Thermosphere Ionosphere Mesosphere Energetics and Dynamics mission are analyzed to quantify the H density distribution over the entire magnetosphere‐ionosphere‐thermosphere region in order to investigate the response of the atmospheric system as a whole to geomagnetic storms. It is shown that at low and middle latitudes the H density averaged over storm times in the thermosphere‐exosphere transition region decreases by ∼30%, while the H density at exospheric altitudes above ∼1–2 R E increases by up to ∼40% relative to quiet times. We postulate that enhanced ion‐neutral charge exchange in the topside ionosphere and inner plasmasphere is the primary driver of the observed H redistribution. Specifically, charge exchange reactions between H atoms and ionospheric/plasmaspheric O + lead to direct H loss, while those between thermal H and H + yield kinetically energized H atoms which populate gravitationally bound satellite orbits. The resulting H density enhancements in the outer exosphere would enhance the charge exchange rates in the ring current and the associated energetic neutral atom production. Regardless of the underlying mechanisms, H redistribution should be considered as an important process in the study of storm time atmospheric evolution, and the resultant changes in the geocoronal H emissions potentially could be used to monitor geomagnetic storms.