Polar UVI images to study steady magnetospheric convection events: Initial results

During periods of steady enhanced magnetospheric driving, it may be possible for the reconnection rate on the nightside to adjust to match the reconnection rate on the dayside. When this occurs, it is referred to as a steady magnetospheric convection event or SMC. This balance of reconnection rates is reflected by unchanging open flux in the lobes, which can be inferred using the open-closed boundaries on auroral images. We use Polar UVI data to determine this boundary and calculate the area inside the polar cap. The temporal changes in this area are used to determine the degree of balance between the dayside and nightside reconnection rates. Thus far, we have identified 22 SMC events. We relate these events to past SMC studies. The preliminary results presented here support many past conclusions while also contradicting others.