Ionospheric Plasma IRregularities - IPIR - Data Product Based on Data From the Swarm Satellites.

Ionospheric plasma irregularities can be successfully studied with the Swarm satellites. Parameters derived from the in-situ plasma measurements and from the topside ionosphere total electron content provide a comprehensive dataset for characterizing plasma structuring along the orbits of the Swarm satellites. The Ionospheric Plasma IRregularities (IPIR) data product summarizes these parameters and allows for systematic studies of ionospheric irregularities.

Filamentary field-aligned currents at the polar cap region during northward interplanetary magnetic field derived with the Swarm constellation.

ESA's Swarm constellation mission makes it possible for the first time to determine field-aligned currents (FACs) in the ionosphere uniquely. In particular at high latitudes, the dual-satellite approach can reliably detect some FAC structures which are missed by the traditional single-satellite technique. These FAC events occur preferentially poleward of the auroral oval and during times of northward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) orientation.