Modeling Ionospheric response to solar wind Driving: particle precipitation, conductAnce and currentS (MIDAS)

MIDAS

In this project we are studying how auroral particle precipitation and ionospheric currents are coupled with solar wind and interplanetary magnetic field. Multiple processes affecting this coupling include, for example, magnetic reconnection and Kelvin-Helmholtz waves. We are combining measurements from various satellites and ground-based instruments, using modern data-assimilation methods. We also utilize numerical models and high-performance computing.
The sun in space

Project information

Project duration

-

Project funder

Research Council of Finland

Funding amount

861 897 EUR

Project coordinator

University of Oulu

Unit and faculty

Space Physics and Astronomy
Faculty of Science

Contact information

Project leader

Project description

In this project we will investigate how the flux and energy of magnetospheric particles precipitating into the ionosphere, electric
conductivity and currents in the ionosphere vary as a function of solar wind and interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) parameters. Recent studies have shown that the coupling between solar wind and the above ionospheric phenomena depend on the orientation of the Earth's magnetic field and the IMF in an unknown way. We will study the physical mechanisms of this dependence by using various satellite measurements and images or aurora as well as numerical computer models. We will also investigate the small-scale structure of ionospheric currents with the new EISCAT 3D radar.