Kakoti G, Bagiya MS, Laskar FI, Lin D. Unveiling the combined effects of neutral dynamics and electrodynamic forcing on dayside ionosphere during the 3-4 February 2022 "SpaceX" geomagnetic storms.
Sci Rep 2023;
13:18932. [PMID:
37919357 PMCID:
PMC10622547 DOI:
10.1038/s41598-023-45900-y]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Geomagnetic storms of G1-class were observed on 3 and 4 February 2022, which caused the loss of 38 out of 49 SpaceX satellites during their launch due to enhanced neutral density. The effects of storm-time neutral dynamics and electrodynamics over the American sector during this minor storm have been investigated using Global Positioning System-total electron content (TEC) and Global-scale Observations of the Limb and Disk (GOLD) mission measured thermospheric composition and temperature. Results revealed an unexpected feature in terms of increase in O/N2 and depletion in TEC over the American low-latitudes. This feature is in addition to the classic storm time ionospheric variations of enhancement in ionospheric electron density in presence of enhanced O/N2 and an intense equatorial electrojet (EEJ). Further, significant morning-noon electron density reductions were observed over the southern mid-high latitudes along the American longitudes. Results from Multiscale Atmosphere-Geospace Environment (MAGE) model simulations elucidated storm-induced equatorward thermospheric wind which caused the strong morning counter electrojet by generating the disturbance dynamo electric field. This further explains the morning TEC depletion at low-latitudes despite an increase in O/N2. Sub-storm related magnetospheric convection resulted in significant noon-time peak in EEJ on 4 February. Observation and modelling approaches together suggested that combined effects of storm-time neutral dynamic and electrodynamic forcing resulted in significant ionospheric variations over the American sector during minor geomagnetic storms.
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