On the effect of electron precipitation on the fair-weather electric field

Abstract

In this short paper we have estimated the influence of the diurnal modulation of the electron precipitation at low and middle latitudes of the South Atlantic Magnetic Anomaly (SAMA) on the fair-weather electric field. We have used simple exponential atmospheric conductivity models, together with the ion production rates determined from balloon and rocket measurements in the SAMA. An upper limit to this influence was also calculated and compared with the normal diurnal variation of the fair-weather electric field due to the diurnal variation of the global thunderstorm activity.