FIELD-ALIGNED CURRENTS

ASTRA is using a combined analysis of modeling (TIME-GCM) and data assimiliation (AMIE, IDA4D) to improve predictions of high latitude conductances, ExB drifts, and field-aligned currents (FAC).  Field-aligned currents are one of the primary coupling mechanisms between the magnetosphere and ionosphere.  Therefore, an improved specification and understanding of field-aligned currents will allow an improved understanding of the electrodynamic processes in the magnetosphere and ionosphere and the role FAC plays in Magnetosphere-Ionosphere coupling.