Role of the equatorial ionization anomaly in the development of the evening prereversal enhancement of the equatorial zonal electric field

Abstract

During the evening prereversal enhancement of the zonal electric field (EPRE) that begins around 1700 LT when the F region neutral winds turn eastward, as assumed here, and continues till the postsunset zonal electric field reversal time, an overall positive feedback is shown to occur between the eastward electric field in the lower side of the flux tube integrated (LSFTI) F region and the increased flux tube integrated Pedersen conductivity (FTIC) of the tropical F region. The increase in this FTIC can take place because of the increase in electron density through the increase in solar flux and the intensification of the equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA). While the influence of EIA on EPRE is immediate, the growth time for EIA is 2 to 3 h. Therefore, for a strong EPRE to occur, a fairly strong EIA is required at 1700 LT which is then sustained by the electric field associated with EPRE during its growth period. This study suggests that the postsunset eastward electric field is due to the combined currents in the equatorial electrojet and the LSFTI F regions that get diverted from the daytime Sq current system and flow from the presunset region toward the postsunset zonal electric field reversal region. Thereafter these currents turn and flow poleward to meet the current continuity requirement of the F region dynamo followed by a westward turn to rejoin the daytime Sq current system in midlatitudes. Thus the currents responsible for EPRE are an extension of the daytime Sq current system.