Electrodynamics Of Equatorial Ionosphere Research Articles

Statistical analysis of equatorial electrojet responses to the transient changes of solar wind conditions

Introduction: Prior case studies have indicated that changes in solar wind conditions have a significant impact on equatorial ionospheric electrodynamics. However, there have been limited statistical studies on this topic, impairing our understanding of the coupling between solar wind, magnetosphere, and equatorial ionosphere electrodynamics.Methods: In this study, we conducted a superposed epoch analysis of long-term data from the South America equatorial electrojet (EEJ) spanning from 2001 to 2021 examining the responses of the equatorial ionospheric electric field to step-like changes in solar wind velocity, density, dynamic pressure, and interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) Bz.Result: Our study shows that step-like changes in solar wind velocity, density, and dynamic pressure can trigger changes in EEJ within ∼20–40 min. EEJ exhibits the highest sensitivity to variations in solar wind velocity while being relatively less sensitive to changes in dynamic pressure. Furthermore, the response of EEJ shows greater responsiveness to northward IMF Bz compared to southward IMF Bz.Discussion: Our work provides statistical evidence of how changes in solar wind can lead to changes in low-latitude ionospheric EEJ. We inferred that the changes in solar wind conditions cause magnetospheric deformation and changes in magnetic reconnection rates, leading to the fluctuations of the ionospheric electric field and the resultant EEJ variations.

Polar and Equatorial Ionospheric Electrodynamical Coupling Under a Prolonged Northward Bz Interval

AbstractThe interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) significantly influences the global ionospheric electrodynamics, but it is still largely unknown the high‐ and low‐latitude ionospheric electrodynamical coupling under long‐duration northward IMF Bz (NBz) and By conditions. During the long‐duration NBz and duskward By conditions (Kp < 2, AE < 100 nT, SYM‐H > −25 nT) on 20 August 2014, six pairs of magnetometer data showed that daytime equatorial electrojet (EEJ) underwent strong decreases (reach up to 90%) at wide longitudes. Thermosphere‐ionosphere‐electrodynamics general circulation model (TIE‐GCM) captured well the decrease and the control simulations revealed that both effects of the NBz and By significantly change the plasma convection, Joule heating, and thermospheric winds at high latitudes; and penetration electric field (PEF) due to the NBz plays an important role in the decrease of the equatorial electric field. This study indicates the significant NBz effects on the equatorial ionospheric electrodynamics even during weak geomagnetic conditions, apart from the widely believed meteorological effects. Further study should be taken to disclose the relative contribution between geomagnetic and meteorological effects on the decrease of the equatorial electric field.

Prompt Penetration and Substorm Effects Over Jicamarca During the September 2017 Geomagnetic Storm

AbstractWe used reanalyzed Jicamarca radar measurements to study the response of equatorial ionospheric electrodynamics and spread F during the main phase of the large September 2017 geomagnetic storm. Our observations near dusk on 7 September show very large upward drifts followed by a large short‐lived downward drift perturbation that completely suppressed the lower F region plasma irregularities and severely decreased the backscattered power from the higher altitude spread F. We suggest that this large short‐lived westward electric field perturbation is most likely of magnetospheric origin and is due to a sudden and very strong magnetic field reconfiguration. Later in the early night period, data indicate large, mostly upward, drift perturbations generally consistent with standard undershielding and overshielding electric field effects, but with amplitudes significantly larger than expected. Our analysis suggests that occurrence of storm‐time substorms is one of the major factors causing the large nighttime westward and eastward electric field perturbations observed at Jicamarca near the storm main phase. Our analysis also suggests that magnetospheric substorms play far more important roles on the electrodynamics of the equatorial nighttime ionosphere than has generally been thought.

Data‐Driven Ensemble Modeling of Equatorial Ionospheric Electrodynamics: A Case Study During a Minor Storm Period Under Solar Minimum Conditions

AbstractThe dayside equatorial ionospheric electrodynamics exhibit strong variability driven simultaneously by highly changeable external forcings that originate from the solar extreme ultraviolet (EUV), magnetosphere, and lower atmosphere. We investigate this variability by carrying out comprehensive data‐driven ensemble modeling using a coupled model of the thermosphere and ionosphere, with the focus on the vertical E × B drift variability during a solar minimum and minor storm period. The variability of vertical E × B drift in response to the changes and uncertainty of primary forcings (i.e., solar EUV, high‐latitude plasma convection and auroral particle precipitation, and lower‐atmospheric tide and wave forcing) is investigated by ensemble forcing sensitivity experiments that incorporate data‐driven stochastic perturbations of these forcings into the model. Second, the impact of assimilating FORMOsa SATellite‐3/Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate (FORMOSAT‐3/COSMIC) electron density profiles (EDPs) on the reduction of uncertainty of the modeled vertical E × B drift variability resulting from inadequately specified external forcing is revealed. The Communication and Navigation Outage Forecasting System (C/NOFS) ion drift velocity observations are used for validation. The validation results support the importance of the use of a data‐driven forcing perturbation methods in ensemble modeling and data assimilation. In conclusion, the solar EUV dominates the global‐scale day‐to‐day variability, while the lower atmosphere tide and wave forcing is critical to determining the regional variability. The modeled vertical E × B drift is also sensitive to the magnetospheric forcing. The ensemble data assimilation of FORMOSAT‐3/COSMIC EDPs helps to reduce the uncertainty and improves agreement of the modeled vertical E × B drifts with C/NOFS observations.

Westward Plasma Drifts in the Nighttime Equatorial Ionosphere During Severe Magnetic Storms: A New Type of Penetration Electric Fields Caused by Subauroral Polarization Stream

AbstractPenetration electric fields during geomagnetic storms have important effects on the equatorial ionospheric electrodynamics. Previous studies focus on the vertical ion drifts, corresponding to electric fields in the zonal direction, in the equatorial ionosphere. In this study, we analyze the characteristics of the zonal ion drifts in the equatorial region measured by the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) satellites during 10 severe magnetic storms with a minimum Dst < −200 nT in the solar maximum years of 2000–2003. It is found that the net change of the equatorial zonal ion drifts caused by magnetic storms is westward and can reach 200–300 m s−1 in the evening sector and that the westward ion drifts remain in the same direction during both the storm main and recovery phases. The storm‐induced zonal ion drifts are highly correlated with the Dst index, and the correlation coefficient between the average zonal drift and the average Dst value during the 10 storms is 0.89. The magnitude of the storm‐induced westward ion drifts is approximately linearly proportional to the Dst index in the evening sector, and on average, a change of −100 nT in Dst causes a change of −52 m s−1 in the zonal drift. The westward ion drifts caused by magnetic storms become small when Dst recovers to the range of −55 to −123 nT. A new mechanism is proposed to explain the generation of the westward plasma drifts in the nighttime equatorial ionosphere. This new mechanism is that the poleward electric fields associated with the subauroral polarization stream (SAPS) penetrate or extend to low latitudes, producing the westward plasma drifts in the equatorial region. The results of this study provide new insight into equatorial ionospheric electrodynamics during geomagnetic storms.

Equatorial Ionospheric Electrodynamics Over Jicamarca During the 6–11 September 2017 Space Weather Event

AbstractWe use the observations from the incoherent scatter radar and the magnetometers over Jicamarca (11.95° S, 76.87° W) sector to investigate the equatorial ionospheric electrodynamics on 6–11 September 2017. In this period, there are three X‐class solar flares peaked at 12:02, 14:36, and 16:06 UT on 6, 7, and 10 September, respectively, in the local daytime of Jicamarca and a storm with the minimum SYM‐H of −146 nT at 01:08 UT on 8 September. The results reveal that the three X‐class flares drive the westward disturbance electric field in equatorial region. The flares intensify the westward and eastward equatorial electrojets on 6 and 10 September, while the eastward equatorial electrojet enhances first and then declines on the 7 September flare. The depletion in equatorial electrojet during flare is suggested to be the effects of the weakened electric field. In the storm recovery, the disturbance electric field is westward at ~10–16 LT and eastward at postmidnight and early morning sectors on 9–11 September, which is mainly driven by disturbance dynamo electric field (DDEF). Further, it is found that the westward DDEF first occurs at high altitudes and then at low altitudes around 10 LT, and the westward DDEF at 200–500 km has magnitudes increasing with altitudes. Meanwhile, the Jicamarca incoherent scatter radar observations show distinct altitudinal differences in the responses of the F region electron density to the disturbance electric field.

Equatorial ionospheric electrodynamics during solar flares

AbstractPrevious investigations on ionospheric responses to solar flares focused mainly on the photoionization caused by the increased X‐rays and extreme ultraviolet irradiance. However, little attention was paid to the related electrodynamics. In this letter, we explored the equatorial electric field (EEF) and electrojet (EEJ) in the ionosphere at Jicamarca during flares from 1998 to 2008. It is verified that solar flares increase dayside eastward EEJ but decrease dayside eastward EEF, revealing a negative correlation between EEJ and EEF. The decreased EEF weakens the equatorial fountain effect and depresses the low‐latitude electron density. During flares, the enhancement in the Cowling conductivity may modulate ionospheric dynamo and decrease the EEF. Besides, the decreased EEF is closely related to the enhanced ASY‐H index that qualitatively reflects Region 2 field‐aligned current (R2 FAC). We speculated that solar flares may also decrease EEF through enhancing R2 FAC that leads to an overshielding‐like effect.

Preface C/NOFS results and equatorial ionospheric dynamics

The Communication/Navigation Outage Forecasting System (C/NOFS) satellite was launched into orbit in April 2008 as part of an ongoing effort to understand and identify plasma irregularities that adversely impact the propagation of radio waves in the upper atmosphere. Combined with recent improvements in radar, airglow, and ground-based studies, as well as state-of-the-art modeling techniques, the C/NOFS mission has led to new insights into equatorial ionospheric electrodynamics. In order to document these advances, the C/NOFS Results and Equatorial Dynamics Technical Interchange Meeting was held in Albuquerque, New Mexico from 12 to 14 March 2013. The meeting was a great success with 55 talks and 22 posters, and covered topics including the numerical simulations of plasma irregularities, the effects of atmospheric tides, stratospheric phenomena, and magnetic storms on the upper atmosphere, causes and predictions of scintillation-causing ionospheric irregularities, current and future instrumentation efforts in the equatorial region. The talks were broken into the following three topical sessions: A. Ambient Ionosphere and Thermosphere B. Transient Phenomena in the Low-Latitude Ionosphere C. New Missions, New Sensors, New Science and Engineering Issues. The following special issue was planned as a follow-up to the meeting. We would like to thank Mike Pinnock, the editors and staff of Copernicus, and our reviewers for their work in bringing this special issue to the scientific community. Our thanks also go to Patricia Doherty and the meeting organizing committee for arranging the C/NOFS Technical Interchange Meeting.

Equatorial ionospheric electrodynamics associated with high‐speed solar wind streams during January–April 2007

High‐speed solar wind streams cause recurrent geomagnetic activity and ionospheric disturbances. In this study, we analyze the equatorial ionospheric ion drift measured by the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) satellites near dusk when high‐speed solar wind streams with a period of 13.5 days occurred during January–April 2007. A well‐defined quantitative correlation between the solar wind velocity and the equatorial ionospheric ion drift is identified for the first time. The plasma drift in the dusk equatorial ionosphere induced by high‐speed solar wind streams is eastward in the zonal direction and downward in the vertical direction at the altitude of DMSP orbit (∼840 km) during this low solar activity period (January–April 2007). The zonal component of the equatorial ionospheric ion drift is inversely correlated with the vertical component. The ionospheric ion zonal drift varies, on average, from −40 to 40 m s−1 when the solar wind velocity varies from 300 to 700 km s−1 over a 13.5 day period, and the ion vertical drift varies from 10 to −10 m s−1. The quantitative correlations between the solar wind velocity and ionospheric ion drift and between the vertical and zonal components of the ion drift velocity are important for understanding the equatorial ionospheric electrodynamics associated with high‐speed solar wind streams and for space weather prediction.

Comparison of storm time equatorial ionospheric electrodynamics in the African and American sectors

The characteristics of storm time (corotating interaction regions (CIR)-driven storm that happened on 9 August 2008) equatorial electrojet (EEJ) phenomena and their effect on the ionospheric density structure at two different longitudinal sectors are presented. Equatorial magnetometer data, occultation density profiles from COSMIC and CHAMP LEO satellites, and ground-based GPS TEC are used. We find unusual density reduction around local noon at the same time when we observe the reversal of electrojet current and thus counter-equatorial electrojet (CEJ) signatures. The continuous energy deposition in to high latitudes due to the CIR-driven storm that triggers the E-region dynamo and the penetrating magnetospheric origin electric field is suggested to be responsible for the reversal of equatorial electrojet current flows. We also compare the magnitude and direction of the driving force ( E× B drift) in the American and African sectors for the first time. It was found that at the same local time the E× B drift in the American sector is stronger than that of the African sector. Previously, the uneven distribution of ground-based instruments hindered our ability to obtain a global understanding of the dynamics and structure of the ionosphere. The newly deployed ground-based instruments, primarily in the African sector, provide the opportunity to observe the governing equatorial electrodynamics simultaneously with the ionospheric density structures detected by the instrument onboard low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellites. To our knowledge this is the first simultaneous observation performed in the African sector. This case study may provide additional input that could be used to explain the unique density irregularities that are often seen from in situ satellite observation in the African sector, a region that has been devoid of ground-based instrumentations.

Morphology of F-region vertical E×B drifts in the African sector using ionosonde measurements

F-region vertical velocities are derived from the ground-based ionosonde data for Ibadan (7.4°N, 3.9°E; dip 6°S: an equatorial station in the African zone), to study the general characteristics of electrodynamics of equatorial ionosphere, such as their variation with season, solar cycle, and magnetic activity at different local time sectors. The results show profound seasonal and geomagnetic effects. Except for equinoctial period, there is an excellent consistency in the magnitudes (nearly 20 m/s) and patterns of upward daytime F-region drifts at low and high solar activity periods. Evening F-region exhibits strong motion with absolute mean value for quiet-time (15 m/s) greater than on disturbed-time (10 m/s). The average downward quiet midnight-early morning hours sector value is well below than 10 m/s. The evening reversal time is earliest and latest during solstitial periods. Prereversal peak is season dependent and varies strongly with magnetic activity. We show that prereversal peak, daytime, and nighttime maximum drifts saturate at particular values of F10.7 cm solar radio flux index, effects not noticed with corresponding sunspot number. Our observations confirm several previous results from other equatorial sites utilizing different experimental techniques.