ESR mapping of polar‐cap patches in the dark cusp

Abstract

We present the first ever measurement of the full thermal plasma properties, of an ionospheric patch in full darkness in the noon region where patches are believed to form. Further these data present the first experimental evidence for the Lockwood and Carlson class of mechanisms for forming patches by plasma injection. These data were possible only because of a new measurement capability we had to develop. We introduce the capability here because it crosses the high‐speed threshold that now allows study of a broader class of mesoscale plasma flow‐transients, which are thought to occur over time scales near 2 minutes vice 8–10 minutes. Cumulatively such transients may significantly drive global convection. We demonstrate both the validity of and need for our new measurement capability, by presenting a transient flow reversal sweeping across a 500 by 1000 km area, with initial reversal in 4 minutes, and recovery within 6 minutes.