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Relationship between midlatitude thermospheric winds and the time rate of change of D St
Author(s) -
Hernandez G.,
Roble R. G.
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/gl005i010p00835
Subject(s) - middle latitudes , earth's magnetic field , thermosphere , atmospheric sciences , geomagnetic storm , zonal and meridional , ring current , ionosphere , universal time , latitude , storm , climatology , environmental science , physics , geology , meteorology , geophysics , geodesy , magnetic field , astronomy , quantum mechanics
Nighttime thermospheric winds and temperatures over Fritz Peak Observatory (39.9°N, 105.5°W) have been determined from the Doppler shifts and line profiles of the (OI) 15876‐K (6300 Å) line emission. The peak winds measured during several geomagnetic storms are shown to be linearly related to the time rate of change of the equatorial ring current parameter (d(D St )/dt). During these geomagnetic storm periods the time variation of the measured meridional winds are also strongly correlated with the time rate of change of D St although the observed winds at midlatitudes may lag variations in this parameter by several hours. The energy input derived from d(D St )/dt is consistent with the high latitude energy input that is necessary in a thermospheric dynamic model to bring the calculated meridional winds into agreement with the observations. These results suggest that d(D St )/dt is a useful index for determining the magnitude and time history of the high latitude energy input during both quiet and disturbed geomagnetic conditions for use in global thermospheric dynamic models.