Effect of intrinsic magnetic field decrease on the low- to middle-latitude upper atmosphere dynamics simulated by GAIA

Chihiro Tao, Hidekatsu Jin, Hiroyuki Shinagawa, Hitoshi Fujiwara, Yasunobu Miyoshi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The effects of decreasing the intrinsic magnetic field on the upper atmospheric dynamics at low to middle latitudes are investigated using the Ground-to-topside model of Atmosphere and Ionosphere for Aeronomy (GAIA). GAIA incorporates a meteorological reanalysis data set at low altitudes (<30 km), which enables us to investigate the atmospheric response to various waves under dynamic and chemical interactions with the ionosphere. In this simulation experiment, we reduced the magnetic field strength to as low as 10% of the current value. The averaged neutral velocity, density, and temperature at low to middle latitudes at 300 km altitude show little change with the magnetic field variation, while the dynamo field, current density, and the ionospheric conductivities are modified significantly. The wind velocity and tidal wave amplitude in the thermosphere remain large owing to the small constraint on plasma motion for a small field. On the other hand, the superrotation feature at the dip equator is weakened by 20% for a 10% magnetic field because the increase in ion drag for the small magnetic field prevents the superrotation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)9751-9762
Number of pages12
JournalJournal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics
Volume122
Issue number9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2017

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Space and Planetary Science
  • Geophysics

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Effect of intrinsic magnetic field decrease on the low- to middle-latitude upper atmosphere dynamics simulated by GAIA'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this