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New understanding of multiscale field-aligned currents and scientific and technological impact on the magnetosphere-ionosphere-thermosphere system
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  • Ryan McGranaghan,
  • Anthony Mannucci,
  • Colin Forsyth,
  • Olga Verkhoglyadova
Ryan McGranaghan
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Corresponding Author:ryan.mcgranaghan@colorado.edu

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Anthony Mannucci
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
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Colin Forsyth
Mullard Space Science Laboratory
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Olga Verkhoglyadova
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
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Abstract

Field-aligned currents (FACs), or the system of currents flowing along Earth’s magnetic field lines, are the dominant form of energy and momentum exchange between the magnetosphere and ionosphere. FACs are ubiquitous across the high-latitude region and have unique characteristics depending on the magnetospheric or solar wind source mechanism, and, therefore, mapping location in the ionosphere (i.e. auroral zone, polar cap, cusp). Further complicating the picture, FACs also exhibit a large range of spatial and temporal scales. In order to create new understanding of FAC spatial and temporal scales, their cross-scale effects, and the impact on the polar region, including on critical technologies, new data analysis approaches are required. This talk addresses a coherent progression of investigation in three parts: 1) an exploration of the characteristics, controlling parameters, and relationships of multiscale FACs using a rigorous, comprehensive analysis across multiple spacecraft observations; 2) augmentation of these statistical results with detailed case studies, fusing observations from diverse platforms and incorporating critical information about the high-latitude electrodynamics across scales; and 3) a quantitative investigation of the impact on Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals. We find that the relationships between FAC scales are complex and reveal new information about the connection between multiscale FACs and irregular space weather activity. Additionally, there are observable signatures of multiscale FACs and resultant electrodynamic activity in ionospheric data from GNSS signals, suggesting that these signals are affected distinctly according to scale size of the coupling process. Our results indicate that GNSS data may be a powerful source of information about the multiscale near Earth space environment.