Investigation of Joule Heating in Polar Regions - Antarctica

Authors

  • C. P. Anil Kumar Equatorial Geophysical Research Laboratory, Indian Institute of Geomagnetism, Krishnapuram, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, 627 011, India.
  • A. Sherin Ann School of Pure & Applied Physics, M. G. University, Kottayam, Kerala 686 560, India.
  • J. C. Akhila School of Pure & Applied Physics, M. G. University, Kottayam, Kerala 686 560, India.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/nfpsr/v6/17736D

Keywords:

Antarctica, global electric circuit, joule heating, spherical cap harmonic analysis

Abstract

We report in this paper for the first time the calculation of the Joule heating in Antarctic upper atmosphere and discuss its relationship with the solar wind forcing.  We have used theoretical models to calculate the Poynting flux flowing onto the earth’s ionosphere and associated Joule heating due to the solar wind-magnetosphere-ionosphere dynamo. The investigation reveals that the orientation of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) has a strong influence on the total heating. Maximum heating is noted when tilt angle is 15\(^{\circ}\), and IMF clock angle is 180\(^{\circ}\). For southward IMF, total heating is roughly few hundred of gigawatts.

Published

2023-01-14

How to Cite

C. P. Anil Kumar, A. Sherin Ann, & J. C. Akhila. (2023). Investigation of Joule Heating in Polar Regions - Antarctica . New Frontiers in Physical Science Research Vol. 6, 70–80. https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/nfpsr/v6/17736D

Issue

New Frontiers in Physical Science Research Vol. 6

Section

Chapters