Interhemispheric Asymmetry of the Thermospheric Neutral Density Response to the 7–9 September 2017 Geomagnetic Storms.

The thermospheric neutral density response to the 7–9 September 2017 storms is investigated based on the Swarm satellite observations and the thermosphere‐ionosphere‐electrodynamic general circulation model (TIEGCM) simulation. The Swarm data depicted a prominent interhemispheric asymmetry (IHA) in the afternoon sector during the second storm, a feature that was yet explained. Driven by realistic high‐latitude electric potential and electron precipitation patterns, the TIEGCM is able to reproduce the observed storm‐time neutral density response. The TIEGCM simulation reveals that the differences in the traveling atmospheric disturbances (TADs) is largely responsible for the observed IHA in the neutral mass density response at low and middle latitudes, whereas the difference in mean molecular mass between the two hemispheres may contribute to the IHA in neutral density at higher latitudes. The IHAs in TADs and mean molecular mass are attributed to the IHA in Joule heating dissipation on the night and dawn sides. Plain Language Summary: During geomagnetic storms, thermospheric neutral density can increase drastically due to intense heat inputs. Enhanced neutral density increases the air drag on satellites which could lower their orbits and lead to faster atmosphere reentering of satellites. In addition, enhanced neutral mass density may cause larger uncertainties in orbit prediction which increases the risk of collisions with other space objects. Therefore, it is essential to improve the understanding of storm‐time neutral density variations to improve satellite operations. Recent satellite observations have revealed that thermospheric neutral mass density response can be interhemispherically asymmetric even under equinox conditions when the background density in the two hemispheres is comparable. This paper presents a case study of such an event based on data analysis and numerical simulations to investigate the physical mechanisms behind this intriguing phenomenon. The event took place on 7–9 September 2017 and the most prominent interhemispheric asymmetry of neutral density occurred in the afternoon sector. Our study found that the interhemispheric asymmetry during this event results from the differences in the generation, propagation and interaction of globally propagating atmospheric waves, namely traveling atmospheric disturbances, as well as the difference in mean molecular mass between the northern and southern hemispheres. Key Points: Thermosphere‐ionosphere‐electrodynamic general circulation model captures the observed interhemispheric asymmetry (IHA) in the neutral density response to the 7–9 September 2017 geomagnetic stormsThe IHA in the neutral density response results from the IHA in traveling atmospheric disturbances and mean molecular massThe observed IHA in the neutral density response is not caused by direct Joule heating dissipated at the same local time [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]