| Session Details | |
| Section | ST - Solar & Terrestrial Sciences |
| Session Title | Dynamical Processes in the High-latitude Ionosphere and Magnetosphere-ionosphere Coupling |
| Main Convener | Dr. Qinghe Zhang (Shandong University, China) |
| Co-convener(s) | Prof. Kjellmar Oksavik (University of Bergen, Norway) Dr. Yongliang Zhang (Johns Hopkins University, United States) |
| Session Description | The high-latitude ionosphere is one of the most dynamic regions of the Earth's space environment, and it is directly subject to space weather disturbances and link to the magnetosphere-ionosphere (M-I) coupling processes. There is a well-documented phenomenological relationship between the particle precipitation/auroral activity, plasma irregularities, the disruption of global navigation satellite system (GNSS) and HF radio waves. However, the underlying processes still need to be understood. Improved knowledge and modelling efforts in this area is key to make progress toward improved space weather forecasts and correction of GNSS signals in real-time. To this end, vast networks of ground-based radio (IS radars, SuperDARN, GNSS receivers, Ionosondes etc.) and optical instruments have been deployed to better monitor the dynamic nature of various ionospheric phenomena with higher spatial and temporal resolution. In addition, there are several ongoing satellite (MMS, Van Alen probes, THEMIS, Cluster, Geotail, ePOP, DMSP, etc.) and ground-based collaborations aimed at understanding the electromagnetic coupling between magnetospheric processes and ionospheric disturbances. This session focuses on observational, theoretical and modelling aspects of high-latitude dynamics, precipitating particles/aurora and their impact in the MIT coupling, including micro- and macro-scale physics of aurora, formation and evolution of ionospheric irregularities, field-aligned currents, generation of waves and instabilities, ionospheric scintillations, the effect of M-I coupling processes, as well as other dynamical/electrodynamical phenomena. This session has particular emphasis on cross-regional and cross-scale coupling of various phenomena, in an effort to bring our understanding beyond the traditional static picture ionospheric processes. Presentations on planned projects addressing high-latitude ionospheric dynamics and their associated M-I coupling processes are also welcome. |