Impacts of subauroral polarization streams on storm-enhanced density plume and consequently on polar tongue of ionization

The Thermosphere-Ionosphere-Electrodynamics General Circulation Model (TIEGCM) with/without an empirical SAPS model has been used to investigate the impacts of SAPS on local ionosphere-thermosphere system, which in turn affect the SED plume and consequently the TOI.

The modeled total electron content and ion drift velocities agree reasonably well with the observations of Global Navigation Satellite System and Defense Meteorological Satellite Program satellites on 17 March 2013. The TIEGCM simulations show that SAPS can significantly affect the electron density of SED plume and consequently of TOI. The ionospheric-thermospheric effect of SAPS can reduce the electron density of the SED plume in the afternoon sector and enhance the SED plume in the noon sector, which moves the SED plume dawnward.