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The Case for Improving the Robinson Formulas
Author(s) -
Liemohn Michael W.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of geophysical research: space physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2169-9402
pISSN - 2169-9380
DOI - 10.1029/2020ja028332
Subject(s) - ionosphere , magnetosphere , connection (principal bundle) , precipitation , ionization , physics , conductance , predictability , nonlinear system , space (punctuation) , plasma , geophysics , meteorology , computer science , mathematics , ion , quantum mechanics , geometry , condensed matter physics , operating system
Auroral particle precipitation is the main source of ionization on the nightside, making it a critical factor in geospace physics. This magnetosphere‐ionosphere linkage directly contributes to, even controls, the nonlinear feedback within this coupled system. One study has dominated our understanding of this connection, presenting a pair of equations relating auroral particle precipitation to ionospheric Pedersen and Hall conductance, the famous Robinson formulas. This Commentary examines the history of the development and usage of the Robinson formulas and the recent studies exploring corrections and expansions to it. The conclusion is that more work needs to be done; the space physics research community should take up the task to develop improvements and enhancements to better quantify the connection of auroral precipitation to ionospheric conductance.