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Ann. Geophys., 22, 2201-2211, 2004
www.ann-geophys.net/22/2201/2004/
© European Geosciences Union 2004
Distinct solar wind pressure pulses producing convection twin-vortex systems in the ionosphere
D. V. Sarafopoulos
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Demokritos University of Thrace, Xanthi, Greece
Abstract. We provide conclusive observational evidence demonstrating that a solar wind
pressure pulse produces a twin-vortex system of ionospheric currents, while
a stepwise pressure increase/decrease creates a single vortex structure, at
high-latitude ground magnetograms. Multi-satellite (Wind, Geotail,
Interball, IMP 8 and GOES 8) and multi-instrument observations of plasma and
magnetic field confirm with in situ measurements that solar wind inherent pressure
pulses and stepwise variations strike on the Earth's magnetosphere in a
global scale. The ground signatures are scrutinized in detail and the twin-
or single-vortex current systems are studied using the IMAGE array stations.
One more finding of this work is that a single vortex can produce monopolar
and bipolar features, depending on the station position relative to the
overhead travelling convection vortex (TCV). All of the above observational
evidence confirms Glassmeier's (1992) prediction model that associates
solar wind's steep changes of pressure with ionospheric TCVs.
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