Violation of Hemispheric Symmetry in Integrated Poynting Flux via an
Empirical Model
Abstract
For southward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) during local summer,
the hemispherically integrated Poynting flux estimated by
FAST-satellite-derived empirical models is significantly larger for the
northern hemisphere (NH) than for the southern hemisphere (SH). In order
to test whether the difference is statistically significant, the model
uncertainties have been estimated by dividing the data sets for each
hemisphere into two nonintersecting sets, and separately constructing
the model using each of the four sets. The model uncertainty appears to
be smaller than the estimated asymmetry. The asymmetry is mostly absent
when the IMF is northward, except there is some evidence that it may
actually reverse during local winter. The phenomena is coupled with what
appears to be a more distinct two-cell convection pattern in the NH, and
a possibly greater cusp contribution in the SH. All this suggests an
effect of magnetosphere-ionosphere-thermosphere coupling, probably
related to asymmetries in Earth’s geomagnetic field.