Solar wind-driven Pc5 waves observed at a polar cap station and in the near cusp ionosphere

Abstract

We present the results of a comparative study conducted in Antarctica by using the ULF geomagnetic field measurements at Terra Nova Bay (Altitude Adjusted Corrected Geomagnetic Coordinates latitude 80°S) and simultaneous data from the Super Dual Auroral Radar Network radar at South Pole Station. Pc5 waves observed at Terra Nova Bay around local magnetic noon, when the station is close to the dayside cusp, can be interpreted as spatial integrated signals, produced by ionospheric currents associated to field line resonances at somewhat lower latitudes. The radar, providing the Doppler velocities of ionospheric plasma over a range of geomagnetic latitudes, allows to detect the occurrence of such field line resonances. In the reported case, our analysis shows evidence of resonant signals in the ionosphere at 75°S and 76°S that find correspondence in frequency and time with the geomagnetic signals observed at Terra Nova Bay around local noon. During the period of interest, oscillations of the solar wind dynamic pressure at the same frequency are detected by Geotail, just upstream of the morning flank of the bow shock. All the observations are consistent with the interpretation of the signals at Terra Nova Bay in terms of signatures of field line resonances occurring at lower latitudes, driven by solar wind oscillations transmitted into the magnetosphere. We discuss also the possibility of an additional contribution to the signals at Terra Nova Bay, due to the direct propagation of the solar wind waves along the local open field line.