Simulation of Plasma Motion in the Polar Ionosphere

摘要

A model of plasma motion in the polar ionosphere is presented. Plasma motion dueto polar convection and corotation above 50 deg N is modeled. The universal time (UT)-dependent corotation electric field (in the geomagnetic frame) is added to a polar convection electric field that is UT-dependent in the geographic frame and the total is displayed in both reference frames. To simulate actual magnetic conditions, varying polar convection patterns may be used by the model we have developed. Trajectories of single plasma parcels and regions of plasma are calculated. The calculated trajectories are displayed in the geographic and magnetic inertial reference frames. The model developed is applied to the study of a region of electron depletion near the pole, a polar hole. Changes in the size and location of the polar hole are explained in terms of a changing convection pattern. The results of this thesis are being used by the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory to further study ionospheric plasma motion. Ionosphere, Electron density, Plasma motion, Polar hole.