RADAR MEASUREMENTS OF THE ELECTROMAGNETIC ENERGY RATES ASSOCIATED WITH THE DYNAMIC IONOSPHERIC LOAD GENERATOR/

High resolution incoherent-scatter radar measurements from Sondrestrom , Greenland, are used to evaluate the energy characteristics of the dy namic load/generator throughout the high-latitude E region. The measur ements provide a unique view of E-region electrodynamics and show for the first time the E-region processes that dictate ionospheric load/ge nerator behavior. Also, the energy rate associated with the, often ass umed, passive ionospheric load is shown for two extended periods of ob servations to be an overestimate of the actual energy transfer rate, t ypically by more than a factor of 1.5 for these data. The distribution and partitioning of the energy transfer rate into Joule heating and m echanical energy rates is also evaluated throughout the E region with both showing an altitude-dependent influence on the energy rates assoc iated with the net load. These estimated quantities provide significan t insight into understanding the contributing factors involved in the net transfer of electromagnetic energy between the ionosphere and magn etosphere.