Self-consistent electrostatic field mapping in the high-latitude ionosphere

Abstract

In an attempt to study the possible connections between upper and lower atmospheric electricity, the restricted boundary value problem of self-consistent electrostatic field mapping in the collision-dominated lower ionosphere is solved. Although large scale size perpendicular fields can penetrate the ionosphere, the associated self-consistent parallel fields are much more sensitive to the parameters of the ionosphere and atmosphere. Above 150 km the parallel field is generally 10−3–10−4 times the magnitude of the perpendicular field; however, below 100 km the two fields become comparable in magnitude. It is found that the magnetospheric origin of perpendicular electric fields measured at low-altitude and high-latitude regions cannot be ascertained unless simultaneous subsidiary observations such as magnetic disturbances and perpendicular scale sizes are also considered.