Intensity asymmetries in the dusk sector of the poleward auroral oval due to IMF $\mathit{B}_{x}$

TL;DR

This study reveals statistically significant asymmetries in auroral brightness between hemispheres linked to the IMF Bx component, suggesting a hemisphere-dependent solar wind dynamo effect affecting global auroral features.

Contribution

It provides the first statistical evidence of how IMF Bx influences hemispheric auroral asymmetries, expanding understanding of solar wind-magnetosphere interactions.

Findings

Northern Hemisphere aurora brighter at 15-19 MLT during negative IMF Bx

Southern Hemisphere aurora brighter at 16-20 MLT during positive IMF Bx

Asymmetries are statistically significant with 95% confidence level

Abstract

In the exploration of global-scale features of the Earth's aurora, little attention has been given to the radial component of the Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF). This study investigates the global auroral response in both hemispheres when the IMF is southward and lies in the $\textit{xz}$ plane. We present a statistical study of the average auroral response in the 12-24 magnetic local time (MLT) sector to an $\textit{x}$ component in the IMF. Maps of auroral intensity in both hemispheres for two IMF $\mathit{B}_{x}$ dominated conditions($ \pm $ IMF $\mathit{B}_{x}$) are shown during periods of negative IMF $\mathit{B}_{z}$, small IMF $\mathit{B}_{y}$, and local winter. This is obtained by using global imaging from the Wideband Imaging Camera on the IMAGE satellite. The analysis indicates a significant asymmetry between the two IMF $\mathit{B}_{x}$ dominated conditions in both hemispheres. In the Northern Hemisphere the aurora is brighter in the 15-19 MLT region during negative IMF $\mathit{B}_{x}$. In the Southern Hemisphere the aurora is brighter in the 16-20 MLT sector during positive IMF $\mathit{B}_{x}$. We interpret the results in the context of a more efficient solar wind dynamo in one hemisphere. Both the intensity asymmetry and its location are consistent with this idea. This has earlier been suggested from case studies of simultaneous observations of the aurora in both hemispheres, but hitherto never been observed to have a general impact on global auroral brightness in both hemispheres from a statistical study. The observed asymmetries between the two IMF $\mathit{B}_{x}$ cases are not large; however, the difference is significant with a 95% confidence level. As the solar wind conditions examined in the study are rather common (37% of the time) the accumulative effect of this small influence may be important for the total energy budget.