Air–earth current measurements at Kew, London, 1909–1979

Abstract

A vertical conduction current arises from the global ionospheric potential and the integrated electrical resistance between the Earth's surface and the ionosphere. The conduction current density varies with the ionospheric potential and the vertical (columnar) resistance. At the surface, the conduction current density is known as the air–earth current. C.T.R. Wilson developed a measurement technique for the air–earth current in 1906, which was implemented by the British Meteorological Office at its Kew Observatory (51° 28′N, 0° 19′W) near London in 1909. Simultaneous measurements of air–earth current, potential gradient and positive air conductivity were made almost continuously until 1979 using the Wilson method on fine afternoons. A summary of the complete set of monthly mean measurements is presented here for the first time. The data span the nuclear weapons testing period and the UK Clean Air Act of 1956, both of which influenced the measurements obtained. Annual average values of the air earth current density at Kew are 0.97 pA·m −2 (1909–1931), 1.04 pA·m −2 (1932–1949) and 1.41 pA·m −2 (1967–1979).