scholarly journals Equatorial night-time F-region zonal electric fields

1995 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 871-878 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. S. Hari ◽  
B. V. Krishna Murthy
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Variation ◽  
Electric Field ◽  
Electric Fields ◽  
Night Time ◽  
Equatorial Station ◽  
F Region ◽  
Vertical Drift ◽  
Longitudinal Gradients ◽  
Cycle Maximum ◽  
E Region

Abstract. Night-time F-region vertical electrodynamic drifts at the magnetic equatorial station, Trivandrum are obtained for a period of 2 years, 1989 and 1990 (corresponding to solar cycle maximum epoch), using ionosonde h'F data. The seasonal variation of the vertical drift is found to be associated with the longitudinal gradients of the thermospheric zonal wind. Further, the seasonal variation of the prereversal enhancement of the vertical drift is associated with the time difference between the sunset times of the conjugate E-regions (magnetic field line linked to F-region) which is indicative of the longitudinal gradients of the conductivity (of the E-region). The vertical drifts and the causative zonal electric fields at Trivandrum are compared with those at Jicamarca and F-region zonal electric field models. It is seen that the night-time downward drift (as also the causative westward electric field) at Jicamarca is greater than that at Trivandrum. The prereversal enhancement of the drift is greater at Jicamarca than at Trivandrum during the summer and the equinoxes, whereas during the winter the opposite is the case.

scholarly journals Impact of disturbance electric fields in the evening on prereversal vertical drift and spread F developments in the equatorial ionosphere

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 609-620 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mangalathayil A. Abdu ◽  
Paulo A. B. Nogueira ◽  
Angela M. Santos ◽  
Jonas R. de Souza ◽  
Inez S. Batista ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electric Field ◽  
Electric Fields ◽  
Plasma Bubble ◽  
Large Variability ◽  
Plasma Drift ◽  
F Region ◽  
Vertical Drift ◽  
Spread F ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Magnetic Disturbances

Abstract. Equatorial plasma bubble/spread F irregularity occurrence can present large variability depending upon the intensity of the evening prereversal enhancement in the zonal electric field (PRE), that is, the F region vertical plasma drift, which basically drives the post-sunset irregularity development. Forcing from magnetospheric disturbances is an important source of modification and variability in the PRE vertical drift and of the associated bubble development. Although the roles of magnetospheric disturbance time penetration electric fields in the bubble irregularity development have been studied in the literature, many details regarding the nature of the interaction between the penetration electric fields and the PRE vertical drift still lack our understanding. In this paper we have analyzed data on F layer heights and vertical drifts obtained from digisondes operated in Brazil to investigate the connection between magnetic disturbances occurring during and preceding sunset and the consequent variabilities in the PRE vertical drift and associated equatorial spread F (ESF) development. The impact of the prompt penetration under-shielding eastward electric field and that of the over-shielding, and disturbance dynamo, westward electric field on the evolution of the evening PRE vertical drift and thereby on the ESF development are briefly examined. Keywords. Ionosphere (ionospheric irregularities)

scholarly journals Night-time F-region and daytime E-region ionospheric drifts measured at Udaipur during solar flares

2002 ◽  
Vol 20 (11) ◽  
pp. 1837-1842 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. M. Vyas ◽  
R. Pandey
Keyword(s):  
Electric Fields ◽  
Solar Flares ◽  
Night Time ◽  
Low Latitude ◽  
F Region ◽  
Reflection Height ◽  
E Region ◽  
Electric Fields And Currents ◽  
East West ◽  
Ionospheric Drifts

Abstract. Ionospheric drifts measured at a low latitude station, Udaipur (Geomag. Lat. 14.5° N), in the night-time F-region and daytime E-region during solar flares have been studied. The night-time observations, which correspond to the F-region drifts, were carried out on five different nights. The daytime observation corresponding to the E-region drifts is only for one day. It is found that the apparent drift during the solar flare period is reduced considerably, in the daytime E-region as well as in the night-time F-region. The East-West and North-South components of the apparent drift speed are also similarly affected. For the daytime E-region drifts during a flare, increased ionization and subsequent reduction of reflection height is proposed to be the cause of reduced drift speeds. For the night-time F-region drifts, a reduced electric field at the F-region heights resulting from coupling of sunlit and dark hemispheres has been proposed to be the possible cause.Key words. Ionosphere (electric fields and currents; ionospheric disturbances)

scholarly journals Letter to the editor: Electric field fluctuations (25-35 min) in the midnight dip equatorial ionosphere

2000 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 252-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Hanumath Sastri ◽  
H. Luhr ◽  
H. Tachihara ◽  
T. -I. Kitamura ◽  
J. V. S. V. Rao
Keyword(s):  
Electric Field ◽  
Electric Fields ◽  
Geomagnetic Latitude ◽  
Equatorial Ionosphere ◽  
Plasma Drift ◽  
F Region ◽  
Vertical Drift ◽  
Field Fluctuations ◽  
Dip Equator ◽  
Electric Fields And Currents

Abstract. Measurements with a HF Doppler sounder at Kodaikanal (10.2°N, 77.5°E, geomagnetic latitude 0.8°N) showed conspicuous quasi-periodic fluctuations (period 25-35 min) in F region vertical plasma drift, Vz in the interval 0047-0210 IST on the night of 23/24 December, 1991 (Ap = 14, Kp < 4-). The fluctuations in F region vertical drift are found to be coherent with variations in Bz (north-south) component of interplanetary magnetic field (IMF), in geomagnetic H/X components at high-mid latitude locations both in the sunlit and dark hemispheres and near the dayside dip equator, suggestive of DP2 origin. But the polarity of the electric field fluctuations at the midnight dip equator (eastward) is the same as the dayside equator inferred from magnetic variations, contrary to what is expected of equatorial DP2. The origin of the coherent occurrence of equatorial electric field fluctuations in the DP2 range of the same sign in the day and night hemispheres is unclear and merits further investigations.Key words: Ionosphere (electric fields and currents; equatorial ionosphere; ionosphere-magnetosphere interactions)

scholarly journals Effects of solar eclipse on the electrodynamical processes of the equatorial ionosphere: a case study during 11 August 1999 dusk time total solar eclipse over India

2002 ◽  
Vol 20 (12) ◽  
pp. 1977-1985 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Sridharan ◽  
C. V. Devasia ◽  
N. Jyoti ◽  
Diwakar Tiwari ◽  
K. S. Viswanathan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electric Fields ◽  
Solar Eclipse ◽  
Equatorial Ionosphere ◽  
Hf Radar ◽  
F Region ◽  
Large Enhancement ◽  
Temporal Structures ◽  
E Region ◽  
Field Lines ◽  
Electric Fields And Currents

Abstract. The effects on the electrodynamics of the equatorial E- and F-regions of the ionosphere, due to the occurrence of the solar eclipse during sunset hours on 11 August 1999, were investigated in a unique observational campaign involving ground based ionosondes, VHF and HF radars from the equatorial location of Trivandrum (8.5° N; 77° E; dip lat. 0.5° N), India. The study revealed the nature of changes brought about by the eclipse in the evening time E- and F-regions in terms of (i) the sudden intensification of a weak blanketing ES-layer and the associated large enhancement of the VHF backscattered returns, (ii) significant increase in h' F immediately following the eclipse and (iii) distinctly different spatial and temporal structures in the spread-F irregularity drift velocities as observed by the HF radar. The significantly large enhancement of the backscattered returns from the E-region coincident with the onset of the eclipse is attributed to the generation of steep electron density gradients associated with the blanketing ES , possibly triggered by the eclipse phenomena. The increase in F-region base height immediately after the eclipse is explained as due to the reduction in the conductivity of the conjugate E-region in the path of totality connected to the F-region over the equator along the magnetic field lines, and this, with the peculiar local and regional conditions, seems to have reduced the E-region loading of the F-region dynamo, resulting in a larger post sunset F-region height (h' F) rise. These aspects of E-and F-region behaviour on the eclipse day are discussed in relation to those observed on the control day.Key words. Ionosphere (electric fields and currents; equatorial ionosphere; ionospheric irregularities)

scholarly journals Meteor plasma trails: effects of external electric field

2009 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 279-296 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. S. Dimant ◽  
M. M. Oppenheim ◽  
G. M. Milikh
Keyword(s):  
Electric Field ◽  
Electric Fields ◽  
Electrostatic Interaction ◽  
Geomagnetic Field ◽  
Dense Plasma ◽  
Dc Electric Field ◽  
E Region ◽  
Flow Through ◽  
Short Circuits ◽  
Meteor Plasma

Abstract. Meteoroids traversing the E-region ionosphere leave behind extended columns of elevated ionization known as the meteor plasma trails. To accurately interpret radar signals from trails and use them for diagnostics, one needs to model plasma processes associated with their structure and evolution. This paper describes a 3-D quantitative theory of the electrostatic interaction between a dense plasma trail, the ionosphere, and a DC electric field driven by an external dynamo. A simplified water-bag model of the meteor plasma shows that the highly conducting trail efficiently short-circuits the ionosphere and creates a vast region of currents that flow through and around the trail. We predict that the trail can induce electric fields reaching a few V/m, both perpendicular and parallel to the geomagnetic field. The former may drive plasma instabilities, while the latter may lead to strong heating of ionospheric electrons. We discuss physical and observational implications of these processes.

scholarly journals Solar and geomagnetic activity effects on mid-latitude F-region electric fields

2008 ◽  
Vol 26 (9) ◽  
pp. 2911-2921 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. V. Kumar ◽  
M. L. Parkinson ◽  
P. L. Dyson ◽  
R. Polglase
Keyword(s):  
Electric Field ◽  
Electric Fields ◽  
Geomagnetic Activity ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
Solar Flux ◽  
Quiet Time ◽  
F Region ◽  
Diurnal Patterns ◽  
Ae Index

Abstract. Diurnal patterns of average F-region ionospheric drift (electric field) and their dependence on solar and geomagnetic activity have been defined using digital ionosonde Doppler measurements recorded at a southern mid-latitude station (Bundoora 145.1° E, 37.7° S geographic, 49° S magnetic). A unique database consisting of 300 907 drift velocities was compiled, mostly using one specific mode of operation throughout 1632 days of a 5-year interval (1999–2003). The velocity magnitudes were generally larger during the night than day, except during the winter months (June–August), when daytime velocities were enhanced. Of all years, the largest drifts tended to occur during the high speed solar wind streams of 2003. Diurnal patterns in the average quiet time (AE<75 nT) meridional drifts (zonal electric field) peaked at up to ~6 m s−1 poleward (0.3 mV m−1 eastward) at 03:30 LST, reversing in direction at ~08:30 LST, and gradually reaching ~10 m s−1 equatorward at ~13:30 LST. The quiet time zonal drifts (meridional electric fields) displayed a clear diurnal pattern with peak eastward flows of ~10 m s−1 (0.52 mV m−1 equatorward) at 09:30 LST and peak westward flows around midnight of ~18 m s−1 (0.95 mV m−1 poleward). As the AE index increased, the westward drifts increased in amplitude and they extended over a greater fraction of the day. The perturbation drifts changed in a similar way with decreasing Dst except the daytime equatorward flows strengthened with increasing AE index, whereas they became weak for Dst<−60 nT. The responses in all velocity components to changing solar flux values were small, but net poleward perturbations during the day were associated with large solar flux values (>192×10−22 W m−2 Hz−1). These results help to more fully quantify the response of the mid-latitude ionosphere to changing solar and geomagnetic conditions, as required to refine empirical and theoretical models of mid-latitude electric fields.

scholarly journals Space weather impact on the equatorial and low latitude F-region ionosphere over India

2006 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. S. Dabas ◽  
R. M. Das ◽  
V. K. Vohra ◽  
C. V. Devasia
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Storm ◽  
Electric Fields ◽  
Space Weather ◽  
Recovery Phase ◽  
Equatorial Region ◽  
Storm Events ◽  
Low Latitude ◽  
Equatorial Station ◽  
Weather Impact ◽  
F Region

Abstract. For a detailed study of the space weather impact on the equatorial and low latitude F-region, the ionospheric response features are analysed during the periods of three recent and most severe magnetic storm events of the present solar cycle which occurred in October and November 2003, and November 2004. The F-layer base height (h'F), peak height (hmF2) and critical frequency (foF2) data, from Trivandrum, an equatorial station and Delhi, a low latitude location, are examined during the three magnetic storm periods. The results of the analysis clearly shows that the height of the F-region (both h'F and hmF2), at the equator and low latitude, simultaneously increases by 200 to 300 km, in association with maximum negative excursion of Dst values around the midnight hours with a large depletion of ionization over the equator, which is followed by an ionization enhancement at low latitude during the recovery phase of the storm. At Delhi, fast variations up to 200 m/s are also observed in the F-layer vertical upward/downward velocity, calculated using Doppler shifts, associated with the maximum negative excursion of Dst. This shows that during magnetic disturbances, the equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) expands to a much wider latitude than the normal fountain driven by the E/F-layer dynamo electric fields. It is also observed that during the main phase of the storm, at low latitude there is generally an enhancement of F-region ionization with an increase in h'F/hmF2 but in the equatorial region, the ionization collapses with a decrease in h'F/hmF2, especially after sunset hours. In addition, at the equator the normal pre-sunset hours' enhancement in h'F is considerably suppressed during storm periods. This might be due to changes in magnitude and direction of the zonal electric field affecting the upward E×B drift and hence the plasma distribution in the form of a decrease in electron density in the equatorial region and an increase in the low latitude region. In association with disturbance electric fields, the enhanced storm-induced equatorward meridional winds in the thermosphere can also further amplify the F-layer height rise at low latitudes during the post-midnight hours, as observed in two of the storm periods.

scholarly journals Penetration of the electric fields of the geomagnetic sudden commencement over the globe as observed with the HF Doppler sounders and magnetometers

2021 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Takashi Kikuchi ◽  
Jaroslav Chum ◽  
Ichiro Tomizawa ◽  
Kumiko K. Hashimoto ◽  
Keisuke Hosokawa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electric Field ◽  
Electric Fields ◽  
Sudden Commencement ◽  
Ionospheric Currents ◽  
Republic Of China ◽  
F Region ◽  
Electric And Magnetic Fields ◽  
Magnetometer Data ◽  
Electric Potentials ◽  
Geomagnetic Sudden Commencement

AbstractUsing the HF Doppler sounders at middle and low latitudes (Prague, Czech Republic; Tucuman, Argentina; Zhongli, Republic of China, and Sugadaira, Japan), we observed the electric fields of the geomagnetic sudden commencement (SC) propagating near-instantaneously (within 10 s) over the globe. We found that the electric fields of the preliminary impulse (PI) and main impulse (MI) of the SC are in opposite direction to each other and that the PI and MI electric fields are directed from the dusk to dawn and dawn to dusk, respectively, manifesting the nature of the curl-free potential electric field. We further found that the onset and peak of the PI electric field are simultaneous on the day and nightsides (0545, 1250, 1345 MLT) within the resolution of 10 s. With the magnetometer data, we confirmed the near-instantaneous development of the ionospheric currents from high latitudes to the equator and estimated the location of the field-aligned currents that supply the ionospheric currents. The global simultaneity of the electric and magnetic fields does not require the contribution of the magnetohydrodynamic waves in the magnetosphere nor in the F-region ionosphere. The global simultaneity and day–night asymmetry of the electric fields are explained with the ionospheric electric potentials transmitted at the speed of light by the TM0 mode waves in the Earth-ionosphere waveguide.

scholarly journals SEEK-2 (Sporadic-<i>E</i> Experiment over Kyushu 2) − Project Outline, and Significance

2005 ◽  
Vol 23 (7) ◽  
pp. 2295-2305 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Yamamoto ◽  
S. Fukao ◽  
R. T. Tsunoda ◽  
R. Pfaff ◽  
H. Hayakawa
Keyword(s):  
Electric Field ◽  
Spatial Structure ◽  
Electric Fields ◽  
Density Profiles ◽  
Sounding Rockets ◽  
Optical Instruments ◽  
Observation Network ◽  
E Region ◽  
Sporadic E ◽  
Electron Density Profiles

Abstract. SEEK-2 (Sporadic-E Experiment over Kyushu 2) is an observation campaign to study the spatial structure of the field-aligned irregularity (FAI) and sporadic-E(Es)-layer by means of two sounding rockets and a ground-based observation network with radars and optical instruments. The experiment was successfully conducted on 3 August 2002, with successive launches of two sounding rockets from the Uchinoura Space Center (USC) of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). The timing of the experiment was carefully selected, while intense quasi-periodic (QP) echoes were observed with two radars in Tanegashima. The main Es-layer, with its double-layered structure, was observed at altitudes of 103–105 km, the presence of which was well accounted for by the ion accumulation due to neutral-wind shear. Several minor peaks were detected in the electron density profiles at altitudes of up to 130 km. The intensity of the electric field was 5–10 mV/m and showed intense fluctuations below 110 km. Wave-like variation of the electric field was seen above 110 km. From radar experiments, we found that QP echoes appeared around 105 km, which agreed well with the main Es-layer height. The QP echoes propagated to the west-northwest, with frontal structures elongated from north-northeast to south-southwest. Radar observations conduced throughout the SEEK-2 period, on the other hand, showed that frontal structures of the QP echoes were most frequently propagated to the southeast. This result was consistent with the direction of gravity-wave propagation observed with the OH imager during the same period. The rocket beacon experiment with the Es-layers revealed the spatial structure of the plasma densities. On the basis of these results and those from SEEK-1 in 1996, we examined the structures of the nighttime mid-latitude E-region. We concluded that the QP echoes reflect the horizontal structures of the main Es-layers. The source of the structures was not clearly determined from the experiments, but the candidates are gravity waves and the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability. The azimuth-dependent Es-instability may have contributed to enhance structures of the QP echoes, although this instability may not be a major source of the QP structure in SEEK-2. Polarization electric fields were induced from the Es-layer with QP echoes, mapped upward along the geomagnetic field, and played an important role in determining the structures of the whole ionospheric E-region. Keywords. Mid-latitude ionosphere – Ionospheric irregularities – Ionosphere-atmosphere interactions

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