Understanding magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling is important because energy transfer from the magnetosphere to the ionosphere needs to be represented. This work examines the High Altitude Observatory (HAO)'s high latitude empirical model that represents magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling as energy... Show moreUnderstanding magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling is important because energy transfer from the magnetosphere to the ionosphere needs to be represented. This work examines the High Altitude Observatory (HAO)'s high latitude empirical model that represents magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling as energy transfer between the magnetosphere and the ionosphere. The model represents the spatial distribution of the height integrated Poynting flux, the electric potential and the magnetic potential in the upper atmosphere under varying geophysical conditions. HAO's empirical model was contrasted against Weimer's 2005 empirical model. Both models are derived from the Dynamic Explorer Two (DE-2) data set from August 1981 to March 1983. The purpose of the research was to show that the energy transfer generally quantified by the Joule heating could be estimated by the height integrated Poynting flux. The Poynting flux can be calculated from satellite measurements, while the Joule heating requires knowing the Pederson conductivity, which is not measured by DE-2. This study showed that the Poynting flux can represent the energy transfer in Joule heating by the Poynting flux. Though both models are derived from the same data set, their respective electrical potential has been statistically computed by different methods. Weimer's derived electrical potential from the DE-2 data set has, in general, a greater electrical potential than HAO's derived electrical potential. Weimer's model uses the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) solar wind velocity and density as extra inputs in comparison to HAO's model. The integrated Poynting flux of HAO's model is comparable with the total Joule heating over a given area. This demonstrates that energy transfer between the magnetosphere and ionosphere can be successfully estimated from satellite measurements, using the integrated Poynting flux. Show less
