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Comparisons of Solar Wind Coupling Parameters with Auroral Energy Deposition RatesMeasurement of the global rate of energy deposition in the ionosphere via auroral particle precipitation is one of the primary goals of the Polar UVI program and is an important component of the ISTP program. The instantaneous rate of energy deposition for the entire month of January 1997 has been calculated by applying models to the UVI images and is presented by Fillingim et al. In this session. A number of parameters that predict the rate of coupling of solar wind energy into the magnetosphere have been proposed in the last few decades. Some of these parameters, such as the epsilon parameter of Perrault and Akasofu, depend on the instantaneous values in the solar wind. Other parameters depend on the integrated values of solar wind parameters, especially IMF Bz, e.g. applied flux which predicts the net transfer of magnetic flux to the tail. While these parameters have often been used successfully with substorm studies, their validity in terms of global energy input has not yet been ascertained, largely because data such as that supplied by the ISTP program was lacking. We have calculated these and other energy coupling parameters for January 1997 using solar wind data provided by WIND and other solar wind monitors. The rates of energy input predicted by these parameters are compared to those measured through UVI data and correlations are sought. Whether these parameters are better at providing an instantaneous rate of energy input or an average input over some time period is addressed. We also study if either type of parameter may provide better correlations if a time delay is introduced; if so, this time delay may provide a characteristic time for energy transport in the coupled solar wind-magnetosphere-ionosphere system.
Document ID
19980236879
Acquisition Source
Marshall Space Flight Center
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Elsen, R.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL United States)
Brittnacher, M. J.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL United States)
Fillingim, M. O.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL United States)
Parks, G. K.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL United States)
Germany G. A.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL United States)
Spann, J. F., Jr.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL United States)
Date Acquired
August 18, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1997
Subject Category
Solar Physics
Meeting Information
Meeting: AGU Meeting
Location: San Francisco, CA
Country: United States
Start Date: December 8, 1997
End Date: December 12, 1997
Sponsors: American Geophysical Union
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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