Interpretation of an anticipated long-lived vortex in the lower thermosphere following simulation of an isolated substorm

Using a three-dimensional, time-dependent, global model, we have simulated the response of the thermosphere to an isolated substorm. The substorm is characterized by a time variance of the high latitude convective electric field with an associated enhancement of auroral E region electron density, from an initially quiet thermosphere. We have simulated such an impulsive energy input with both separated and co-incident geographic and geomagnetic poles and have found that, in both cases, in the lower thermosphere ( ～ 120 km), a long-lived vortex phenomenon is generated. Initially, two contra-rotating vortices are generated by the effects of ion drag during the period of enhanced high latitude energy input centred on the polar cap/auroral oval boundary, one at dusk (18.00 L.T.) and the other at dawn (06.00 L.T.). After the end of the substorm, the cyclonic vortex (dawn) dissipates rapidly while the dusk anti-cyclonic vortex appears virtually self-sustaining and survives many hours after the substorm input has ceased. A theory is derived to explain and interpret the results and it appears that the effect is analogous to a meteorological weather system. In this case, however, the dusk anti-cyclonic vortex has, instead of pressure, the centrifugal acceleration balancing the Coriolis force. The equivalent anti-clockwise dawn vortex, unlike a low pressure system, has no balancing force, since Coriolis and the centrifugal term assist and this vortex rapidly disappears.