6–10 Jul 2026
University of the Western Cape
Africa/Johannesburg timezone
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Investigating the Impact of Auroral arcs on ionospheric electric fields, thermospheric Neutral Winds, and Joule Heating

8 Jul 2026, 09:30
20m
Lecture Hall C3 (University of the Western Cape)

Lecture Hall C3

University of the Western Cape

Oral Presentation Track D - Astrophysics & Space Science Astrophysics & Space Science

Speaker

Siyanda Hlathi (University of KwaZulu-Natal and SANSA)

Description

This study investigates the mesoscale interaction between thermospheric neutral winds and electric fields in the F-region ionosphere in the presence of an auroral arc using data from the SuperDARN radar network and a Scanning Doppler Imager (SDI) at Kevo, northern Finland (69.76° N, 27.01° E). Observed perturbed wind patterns are attributed to enhanced ion drag caused by increased plasma density and localised electric fields associated with the auroral arc at ~240 km altitude. SuperDARN radar data are used to quantify the electric fields around the auroral arcs, which are then applied to estimate the enhanced Joule heating. This study provides insights into how auroral energy input drives mesoscale neutral wind dynamics and thermospheric heating at high latitudes.

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Author

Siyanda Hlathi (University of KwaZulu-Natal and SANSA)

Co-authors

Dr Judy Stephenson (University of KwaZulu-Natal) Prof. Michael Kosch (SANSA)

Presentation materials