Polar Voltage

The effect of strong magnetic storms causes the flows of particles into and out of the Polar Regions to change suddenly. These changes alter the normal ground-atmosphere voltage differences . The pattern above is the ionospheric potential. It is based upon the Interplanetary Magnetic Field measured by the ACE satellite 67 minutes ago (47 minutes is the current approximate time delay for the solar wind to propagate from the L1 point to the Earth), and a number of ground-based magnetometer measurements of the ionospheric current systems. The magnetometer station locations are shown on the potential plot.

This plot is a measure of how disturbed Earth's ionosphere has become due to a solar storm .The most effective of these storms are caused by Coronal Mass Ejections. Severe storms lead to brilliant aurora sightings, and also are a sign that normal radio communications across airline Polar Routes may be severely disturbed as well.

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