Abstract: New observations have revealed substantial structuring in the plasma circulation in the polar ionosphere. Ground-based radars like SuperDARN and EISCAT have identified a wide range of plasma flow transients, including flow channel events, pulsed ionospheric flows, and poleward moving radar auroral forms. A few years ago a fourth type of plasma flow signature was observed. These are called reversed flow events (RFE) and appear as narrow channels where the plasma flow is reversed compared to the background flow. Using data from several SuperDARN radars we discuss the occurrence, duration and local time distribution of these events. We show that flow channels occur for a wide range of IMF configurations, and across a wide area of the polar cap. The presentation will also give a brief introduction to the Fulbright program and opportunities for research faculty and students.

Bio: Kjellmar Oksavik is a professor in space physics at the University of Bergen in Norway. This fall he is visiting Virginia Tech as the 2017-2018 Fulbright Arctic Chair. His research interests include phenomena like the aurora, the ionosphere, and space weather in the Arctic.