Footprints of lobe reconnection observed in ionospheric electron density under steady northward IMF

The paper focuses on ionospheric signatures of lobe reconnection near magne tic noon under steady northward IMF. Enhanced Type 2 aurora observed by a m eridian scanning photometer and reverse ion energy dispersion measured duri ng a DMSP satellite pass provide evidence far the reconnection. Tomographic imaging of the spatial plasma distribution reveals key footprints of the p rocesses, including the location of the adiaroic boundary separating the lo be cells from the closed LLBL precipitation, the dispersion of precipitatin g soft ions along sunward convecting field lines, and the possible presence of a Birkeland current sheet at the adiaroic boundary. The chain of ionosp heric tomography receivers from Tromso to Svalbard provides a powerful tool for investigation of the ionospheric response to magnetospheric boundary l ayer processes and their coupling to the ionosphere.