Responses of CIPS/AIM noctilucent clouds to the interplanetary magnetic field

Abstract. This study investigates the link between interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) By component and noctilucent clouds (NLCs) measured by Cloud Imaging Particle Size (CIPS) experiment onboard Aeronomy of Ice in Mesosphere (AIM) satellite. The mean ice particle radius NLCs is found to be positively correlated with IMF Southern Hemisphere (SH) negatively Northern (NH), respectively, on a day-to-day timescale most 20 summer seasons during 2007–2017 period near 0 d lag time, response SH stronger than that NH. Moreover, albedo, water content frequency occurrence present positive correlation but no significant superposed epoch analysis (SEA) further indicates rm average changes about 0.73 nm after reversals, which at 90 % confidence level Monte Carlo sensitivity tests. Our results suggest an By-driven pathway: influence solar wind polar ionospheric electric potential affects nucleation processes consequently NLC brightness.