The correlation between mid-latitude trough and the plasmapause

E. Yizengaw, H. Wei, M. B. Moldwin, D. Galvan, L. Mandrake, A. Mannucci, 
and X. Pi


We use simultaneous global observations of the mid-latitude trough and the
plasmapause to experimentally prove a long-standing conjecture of
magnetosphereionosphere coupling- namely the mid-latitude trough and plasmapause
are on the same field line. Global Ionospheric Maps (GIM), generated using
ground based GPS receivers, are used to detect the globally extended
mid-latitude trough; while global IMAGE EUV pictures are used to estimate the
plasmapause position. Observations during the equinox and solstices and during
quiet and disturbed periods are analyzed. In addition, positions of the
mid-latitude trough are calculated using a simple empirical model. The two
independent observations (mid-latitude trough and plasmapause positions) and an
empirical model have been compared on a global scale and found to be in
excellent agreement.  

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Geophysical Research Letters, 32, L10102, doi:10.1029/2005GL022954.