Analysis of Geoelectric Field Drivers using THEMIS and Van Allen Probes Observations
Thursday, 26 May 2016
Chigomezyo Mudala Ngwira, Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, United States and David G Sibeck, NASA/GSFC, Greenbelt, MD, United States
Abstract:
Although understanding of the magnetosphere-ionosphere interaction has significantly advanced in the last thirty years, our knowledge on detailed characteristics pertaining to geomagnetic storms is still limited. One of the major challenges is to understand the basic processes associated with the development of dynamic magnetosphere-ionosphere currents, which generate large geoelectric fields on the ground. In this paper, modeled geoelectric fields, THEMIS mission and Van Allen Probes measurements are combined, for the first time, in a novel way to study drivers of geoelectric field on the ground. Results from three geomagnetic storms that occurred on 3-4 August 2010, 9 March 2012, and 17 March 2015 are presented and discussed.
