The Noon-Time Equatorial Electrojet, its Spatial Features as Determined From CHAMP Satellite Observations

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1555 Time Variations: Diurnal To Secular, 2409 Current Systems (2708), 2415 Equatorial Ionosphere, 2427 Ionosphere/Atmosphere Interactions (0335), 2437 Ionospheric Dynamics

Scientific paper

We present a comprehensive study of the noon-time equatorial electrojet (EEJ) based on almost 1000 passes of the CHAMP satellite. The low orbit of CHAMP and its high-precision magnetometers allow to reveal the spatial structure of the EEJ with unprecedented accuracy. Data from one and a half year have been used to investigate average features, but also the global characteristics of the EEJ. Special attention has been paid to a proper separation of the EEJ signature from magnetic effects of other current systems like Sq or ring current. Rather than interpreting the EEJ in terms of its magnetic signature we inverted the observations to obtain the equivalent current distribution in the E layer. Some of the dominant spatial features of the noon-time EEJ emerging from our analysis are: The eastward electrojet currents peak right at the dip equator. There is no deviation from it neither on a seasonal base nor with longitude. The width of the EEJ is strongly controlled by the ambient magnetic field geometry. Some seasonal effects are observed in the American sector. Return currents north and south of the forward current are a common feature of the EEJ. They peak at a latitudinal distance of about 5 deg. from the dip equator. The sum of both eastward and westward currents tends to be balanced locally. The intensity of the noon-time EEJ exhibits a distinct variation with longitude. This is particularly pronounced during the equinox seasons, while it almost vanishes during solstice periods. Our current profiles could be used as benchmarks for testing the reliability of ionospheric models.

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