Thermospheric signature of magnetospheric energy dissipation

An investigation is conducted of the latitudinal structure and extension of the thermospheric disturbance zone generated by the magnetospheric energy source, taking into account density data obtained by the polar orbiting satellite ESRO 4. The latitudinal structure of atmospheric perturbation is shown in a graph for the afternoon during winter conditions and the forenoon during equinox conditions. It is found that even during relatively quiet conditions there should be a continuous energy transfer from the polar to the mid-latitude region in the early morning sector. The energy budget of this region is, therefore, not only controlled by EUV radiation but, in addition, by the dissipation of solar wind energy