Publication Date:
2020-11-19
Description:
Recent findings on the nature of magnetic field fluctuations in the high-latitude ionospheric
regions have suggested the existence of scaling features, which are the signature of the occurrence of
turbulence. These features mainly characterize the magnetic field fluctuations in those regions where the
field-aligned currents flow. Here, we investigate the nature of the Earth's magnetic field fluctuations using
the high-resolution (50 Hz) magnetic measurements from the European Space Agency Earth's observation
mission Swarm. Our study indicates that spatiotemporal anomalous scaling features characterize
low-frequency magnetic field fluctuations in the high-latitude ionospheric regions of field-aligned currents
at spatial scales in the range 0.8–80 km (timescales in the range 0.1–10 s). The signature of a multifractal
nature of these fluctuations suggests a highly complex structure of the field-aligned currents. Our results
support the view of inhomogeneous (filamentary) field-aligned currents, which can have relevant
implications in the comprehension of the physical processes responsible for the
magnetospheric-ionospheric coupling and ionospheric heating.
Description:
ESA Contract No. 4000125663/18/I-NB (INTENS)
Description:
Published
Description:
e2019JA027429
Description:
1A. Geomagnetismo e Paleomagnetismo
Description:
JCR Journal
Keywords:
field-aligned currents
;
scaling properties
;
04.05. Geomagnetism
;
01.02. Ionosphere
Repository Name:
Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV)
Type:
article
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