C/NOFS measurements of ring current magnetic field in low-latitude ionosphere

Author(s):  
Guan Le ◽  
William J. Burke ◽  
Robert F. Pfaff ◽  
Henry Freudenreich ◽  
Stefan Maus ◽  
...  
2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (11) ◽  
pp. 2371-2392 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. Bittencourt ◽  
V. G. Pillat ◽  
P. R. Fagundes ◽  
Y. Sahai ◽  
A. A. Pimenta

Abstract. A realistic fully time-dependent computer model, denominated LION (Low-latitude Ionospheric) model, that simulates the dynamic behavior of the low-latitude ionosphere is presented. The time evolution and spatial distribution of the ionospheric particle densities and velocities are computed by numerically solving the time-dependent, coupled, nonlinear system of continuity and momentum equations for the ions O+, O2+, NO+, N2+ and N+, taking into account photoionization of the atmospheric species by the solar extreme ultraviolet radiation, chemical and ionic production and loss reactions, and plasma transport processes, including the ionospheric effects of thermospheric neutral winds, plasma diffusion and electromagnetic E×B plasma drifts. The Earth's magnetic field is represented by a tilted centered magnetic dipole. This set of coupled nonlinear equations is solved along a given magnetic field line in a Lagrangian frame of reference moving vertically, in the magnetic meridian plane, with the electromagnetic E×B plasma drift velocity. The spatial and time distribution of the thermospheric neutral wind velocities and the pattern of the electromagnetic drifts are taken as known quantities, given through specified analytical or empirical models. The model simulation results are presented in the form of computer-generated color maps and reproduce the typical ionization distribution and time evolution normally observed in the low-latitude ionosphere, including details of the equatorial Appleton anomaly dynamics. The specific effects on the ionosphere due to changes in the thermospheric neutral winds and the electromagnetic plasma drifts can be investigated using different wind and drift models, including the important longitudinal effects associated with magnetic declination dependence and latitudinal separation between geographic and geomagnetic equators. The model runs in a normal personal computer (PC) and generates color maps illustrating the typical behavior of the low-latitude ionosphere for a given longitudinal region, for different seasons, geophysical conditions and solar activity, at each instant of time, showing the time evolution of the low-latitude ionosphere, between about 20° north and south of the magnetic equator. This paper presents a detailed description of the mathematical model and illustrative computer results.


2002 ◽  
Vol 30 (10) ◽  
pp. 2175-2180 ◽  
Author(s):  
N.Yu. Ganushkina ◽  
T.I. Pulkkinen ◽  
M.V. Kubyshkina

2008 ◽  
Vol 26 (8) ◽  
pp. 2111-2130 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. V. Denisenko ◽  
H. K. Biernat ◽  
A. V. Mezentsev ◽  
V. A. Shaidurov ◽  
S. S. Zamay

Abstract. A quantitative division of the ionosphere into dynamo and motor regions is performed on the base of empirical models of space distributions of ionospheric parameters. Pedersen and Hall conductivities are modified to represent an impact of acceleration of the medium because of Ampére's force. It is shown that the currents in the F2 layer are greatly reduced for processes of a few hours duration. This reduction is in particular important for the night-side low-latitude ionosphere. The International Reference Ionosphere model is used to analyze the effect quantitatively. This model gives a second high conducting layer in the night-side low-latitude ionosphere that reduces the electric field and equatorial electrojets, but intensifies night-side currents during the short-term events. These currents occupy regions which are much wider than those of equatorial electrojets. It is demonstrated that the parameter σd=σP+σHΣH/ΣP that involves the integral Pedersen and Hall conductances ΣP, ΣH ought to be used instead of the local Cowling conductivity σC in calculations of the electric current density in the equatorial ionosphere. We may note that Gurevich et al. (1976) derived a parameter similar to σd for more general conditions as those which we discuss in this paper; a more detailed description of this point is given in Sect. 6. Both, σd and σC, appear when a magnetic field line is near a nonconducting domain which means zero current through the boundary of this domain. The main difference between σd and σC is that σd definition includes the possibility for the electric current to flow along a magnetic field line in order to close all currents which go to this line from neighboring ones. The local Cowling conductivity σC corresponds to the current closure at each point of a magnetic field line. It is adequate only for a magnetic field line with constant local conductivity at the whole line when field-aligned currents do not exist because of symmetry, but σC=σd in this case. So, there is no reason to use the local Cowling conductivity while the Cowling conductance ΣC=ΣP+ΣH2/ΣP is a useful and well defined parameter.


Author(s):  
Margaret W. Chen ◽  
Michael Schulz ◽  
Shuxiang Liu ◽  
Gang Lu ◽  
Larry R. Lyons ◽  
...  

1997 ◽  
Vol 15 (10) ◽  
pp. 1309-1315 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. G. Rastogi

Abstract. A comparative study of the geomagnetic and ionospheric data at equatorial and low-latitude stations in India over the 20 year period 1956–1975 is described. The reversal of the electric field in the ionosphere over the magnetic equator during the midday hours indicated by the disappearance of the equatorial sporadic E region echoes on the ionograms is a rare phenomenon occurring on about 1% of time. Most of these events are associated with geomagnetically active periods. By comparing the simultaneous geomagnetic H field at Kodaikanal and at Alibag during the geomagnetic storms it is shown that ring current decreases are observed at both stations. However, an additional westward electric field is superimposed in the ionosphere during the main phase of the storm which can be strong enough to temporarily reverse the normally eastward electric field in the dayside ionosphere. It is suggested that these electric fields associated with the V×Bz electric fields originate at the magnetopause due to the interaction of the solar wind and the interplanetary magnetic field.


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