www.elsevier.com/locate/jastp The response of the high-latitude ionosphere to IMF variations

The convection of plasma in the high-latitude ionosphere is strongly a2ected by the interplanetary magnetic 3eld (IMF) carried by the solar wind. From numerous statistical studies, it is known that the plasma circulation conforms to patterns that are characteristic of particular IMF states. Following a change in the IMF, the convection responds by recon3guring into a pattern that is more consistent with the new IMF. Some early studies reported that the convection 3rst begins to change near noon while on the dawn and dusk 5anks and on the nightside it remains relatively una2ected for tens of minutes. Work b