Ionospheric <formula>F region currents at middle and low latitudes estimated from Magsat data

Details Ionospheric <formula>F region currents at middle and low latitudes estimated from Magsat data Ionospheric <formula>F region currents at middle and low latitudes estimated from Magsat data

Mar 1997

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1997jgr...102.4563o&link_type=abstract

Journal of Geophysical Research, Volume 102, Issue A3, p. 4563-4576

Physics

23

Ionosphere: Current Systems, Ionosphere: Equatorial Ionosphere, Ionosphere: Midlatitude Ionosphere, Ionosphere: Ionosphere/Magnetosphere Interactions

Scientific paper

Two methods for determining the F region current density at satellite heights by means of a decomposition of the magnetic field into toroidal and poloidal parts are presented. The first method allows for determination of the radial current component only by neglecting the height variation of the satellite orbit. Application to Magsat data yields the well-known field-aligned currents of polar latitudes (average current density Jr<~200nA/m2) and the meridional current system of the equatorial electrojet (Jr~10-20nA/m2) during dusk. In addition, a midlatitude interhemispheric current system could be observed for the first time. Current direction is from the winter to the summer hemisphere during dusk and in opposite direction during dawn, as predicted by three-dimensional models of the ionospheric dynamo. Presumably, for the first time a lunar contribution to the meridional current system of the equatorial electrojet was found, too. Amplitude at the dip equator is Jr~1.8nA/m2; time of maximum is in agreement with magnetic ground observations, ionospheric electric field measurements, and ionospheric dynamo theory. The second method allows for estimation of both the radial and the horizontal current density by expanding the radial dependence of the magnetic field in Taylor series. First results confirm the current direction of the low-latitude meridional current system as suggested by dynamo calculations: upward currents at the dip equator and field-aligned downward currents at low latitudes.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Ionospheric <formula>F region currents at middle and low latitudes estimated from Magsat data does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Ionospheric <formula>F region currents at middle and low latitudes estimated from Magsat data, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Ionospheric <formula>F region currents at middle and low latitudes estimated from Magsat data will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-870675