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Significant Midlatitude Plasma Density Peaks and Dual‐Hemisphere SED During the 10–11 May 2024 Super Geomagnetic Storm.

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Title: Significant Midlatitude Plasma Density Peaks and Dual‐Hemisphere SED During the 10–11 May 2024 Super Geomagnetic Storm.
Authors: Aa, Ercha1,2 (AUTHOR) aercha@mit.edu, Zhang, Shun‐Rong1 (AUTHOR), Lei, Jiuhou3 (AUTHOR), Huang, Fuqing3,4,5 (AUTHOR), Erickson, Philip J.1 (AUTHOR), Coster, Anthea J.1 (AUTHOR), Luo, Bingxian2 (AUTHOR) luobx@nssc.ac.cn
Source: Journal of Geophysical Research. Space Physics. Nov2024, Vol. 129 Issue 11, p1-16. 16p.
Subject Terms: *Magnetic storms, Equatorial ionization anomaly, Global Positioning System, Plasma density, Mother's Day, Thermosphere
Abstract: This study investigates midlatitude ionospheric variations during the super geomagnetic storm on 10–11 May 2024, utilizing multi‐instrument data from ground‐based sources (Global Navigation Satellite Systems receivers and a Fabry–Perot Interferometer) and space‐based measurements (Swarm and DMSP). We observed several distinct density gradient structures in the midlatitude ionosphere, with the main findings summarized as follows: (a) Significant zonal plasma density enhancements developed continuously in local dusk across the American‐Pacific‐Asian longitude sectors around ±40° $\pm 40{}^{\circ}$ geomagnetic latitude. These midlatitude peaks exhibited a wide longitudinal extension exceeding 150° ${}^{\circ}$ and a prolonged duration of 12–15 hr during the late main phase and early recovery phase of the storm. (b) Strong storm‐enhanced density (SED) was observed in both hemispheres yet with different longitudinal and universal time preferences. In the Northern Hemisphere, significant SED occurred over the American longitude sector during 20:30–22:30 UT on May 10. In the Southern Hemisphere, pronounced SED was observed not only in the American longitudes during 20:30–22:30 UT on May 10 but also in the Australian longitude sector during 02:00–04:00 UT on May 11. Plain Language Summary: The super geomagnetic storm on 10–12 May 2024, known as the Mother's Day Storm, was one of the strongest storms recorded in the Space Age era. This storm induced a series of significant disturbances in the global midlatitude ionosphere, revealing unexpected plasma density gradient structures. Notably, distinct midlatitude plasma density peaks were observed on the poleward side of the equatorial ionization anomaly crests during local dusk. These zonal plasma density enhancements extended across the wide American‐Pacific‐Asian longitude sectors, covering more than 150° ${}^{\circ}$, and persisted for 12–15 hr. Furthermore, strong storm‐enhanced density plume appeared in both hemispheres though with considerable asymmetry. In the Northern Hemisphere, the plume enhancement was more pronounced in the American longitude sector, while in the Southern Hemisphere, the plume intensity was more significant in the Australian longitude sector. These salient and dynamic density gradient structures highlight the complex nature of magnetosphere‐ionosphere‐thermosphere coupling processes during super geomagnetic storms. Key Points: Distinct midlatitude plasma density peaks continuously developed in local dusk across American‐Pacific‐Asian sector around ±40° MLATMidlatitude plasma density enhancements showed a wide zonal extension exceeding 150° in longitude and a prolonged duration of 12–15 hrStrong storm‐enhanced density occurred in both hemispheres, with the Northern (Southern) one being more significant over American (Australian) longitudes [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Abstract:This study investigates midlatitude ionospheric variations during the super geomagnetic storm on 10–11 May 2024, utilizing multi‐instrument data from ground‐based sources (Global Navigation Satellite Systems receivers and a Fabry–Perot Interferometer) and space‐based measurements (Swarm and DMSP). We observed several distinct density gradient structures in the midlatitude ionosphere, with the main findings summarized as follows: (a) Significant zonal plasma density enhancements developed continuously in local dusk across the American‐Pacific‐Asian longitude sectors around ±40° $\pm 40{}^{\circ}$ geomagnetic latitude. These midlatitude peaks exhibited a wide longitudinal extension exceeding 150° ${}^{\circ}$ and a prolonged duration of 12–15 hr during the late main phase and early recovery phase of the storm. (b) Strong storm‐enhanced density (SED) was observed in both hemispheres yet with different longitudinal and universal time preferences. In the Northern Hemisphere, significant SED occurred over the American longitude sector during 20:30–22:30 UT on May 10. In the Southern Hemisphere, pronounced SED was observed not only in the American longitudes during 20:30–22:30 UT on May 10 but also in the Australian longitude sector during 02:00–04:00 UT on May 11. Plain Language Summary: The super geomagnetic storm on 10–12 May 2024, known as the Mother's Day Storm, was one of the strongest storms recorded in the Space Age era. This storm induced a series of significant disturbances in the global midlatitude ionosphere, revealing unexpected plasma density gradient structures. Notably, distinct midlatitude plasma density peaks were observed on the poleward side of the equatorial ionization anomaly crests during local dusk. These zonal plasma density enhancements extended across the wide American‐Pacific‐Asian longitude sectors, covering more than 150° ${}^{\circ}$, and persisted for 12–15 hr. Furthermore, strong storm‐enhanced density plume appeared in both hemispheres though with considerable asymmetry. In the Northern Hemisphere, the plume enhancement was more pronounced in the American longitude sector, while in the Southern Hemisphere, the plume intensity was more significant in the Australian longitude sector. These salient and dynamic density gradient structures highlight the complex nature of magnetosphere‐ionosphere‐thermosphere coupling processes during super geomagnetic storms. Key Points: Distinct midlatitude plasma density peaks continuously developed in local dusk across American‐Pacific‐Asian sector around ±40° MLATMidlatitude plasma density enhancements showed a wide zonal extension exceeding 150° in longitude and a prolonged duration of 12–15 hrStrong storm‐enhanced density occurred in both hemispheres, with the Northern (Southern) one being more significant over American (Australian) longitudes [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:21699380
DOI:10.1029/2024JA033360