A Statistical Survey of E‐Region Anomalous Electron Heating Using Poker Flat Incoherent Scatter Radar Observations

Abstract

AbstractThis work presents an algorithm for automatic detection of anomalous electron heating (AEH) events in the auroral E‐region ionosphere using data from the Poker Flat Incoherent Scatter Radar (PFISR). The algorithm considers both E‐region electron temperature and magnetically conjugate electric field measurements. Application of this algorithm to 14 years of PFISR data spanning 2010 through 2023 detected 505 AEH events. Measured electron temperatures increase linearly with plasma drift speeds. Statistical trends of AEH occurrence as a function of space weather indices (AE and F10.7) demonstrate correlations with the solar cycle and geomagnetic activity levels. The magnetic local time occurrence rates show preferences for dusk and dawn with most events in the dusk sector. Observed AEH events tend to appear in regions of relatively low electron density and do not appear inside intense auroral arcs with high electron density. Furthermore, AEH detection requires a higher electric field than predicted by the threshold for a positive growth rate of the Farley‐Buneman instability (FBI), according to linear fluid theory. The implications of these findings for kinetic theories of FBI and AEH are discussed.