Magnetospheric processes and the behavior of the neutral atmosphere.

A review is given of the quiet time couplings which exist between the magnetosphere and the thermosphere. Joule heating arising from aurorae and the combination of Joule heating and ion drag arising from magnetospheric convection normally provide as much energy to the thermosphere as solar ultraviolet radiation. Ion drag is especially important for establishing wind systems in the thermosphere. Using the qualitative ideas of convective electric fields, a description of a possible model of the global wind system is given. It is pointed out that the existence of a convectively driven wind source at high latitudes consistent with magnetospheric convection leads to the possibility of a mean easterly wind, i.e., super-rotation.