We present the first global empirical model for the quiet time F region equatorial vertical drifts based on combined incoherent scatter radar observations at Jicamarca and Ion Drift Meter observations on board the Atmospheric Explorer E satellite. This analytical model, based on products of cubic-B splines and with nearly conservative electric fields, describes the diurnal and seasonal variations of the equatorial vertical drifts for a continuous range of all longitudes and solar flux values. Our results indicate that during solar minimum, the evening prereversal velocity enhancement exhibits only small longitudinal variations during equinox with amplitudes of about 15–20 m/s, is observed only in the American sector during December solstice with amplitudes of about 5–10 m/s, and is absent at all longitudes during June solstice. The solar minimum evening reversal times are fairly independent of longitude except during December solstice. During solar maximum, the evening upward vertical drifts and reversal times exhibit large longitudinal variations, particularly during the solstices. In this case, for a solar flux index of 180, the June solstice evening peak drifts maximize in the Pacific region with drift amplitudes of up to 35 m/s, whereas the December solstice velocities maximize in the American sector with comparable magnitudes. The equinoctial peak velocities vary between about 35 and 45 m/s. The morning reversal times and the daytime drifts exhibit only small variations with the phase of the solar cycle. The daytime drifts have largest amplitudes between about 0900 and 1100 LT with typical values of 25–30 m/s. We also show that our model results are in good agreement with other equatorial ground-based observations over India, Brazil, and Kwajalein.

/pdf/radar-and-satellite-global-equatorial-f-region-vertical-5b6xz8uxa7.pdf

Radar and satellite global equatorial F-region vertical drift model

[1] We have used five years of measurements on board the ROCSAT-1 satellite to develop a detailed quiet time global empirical model for equatorial F region vertical plasma drifts. This model describes the local time, seasonal and longitudinal dependence of the vertical drifts for an altitude of 600 km under moderate and high solar flux conditions. The model results are in excellent agreement with measurements from the Jicamarca radar and also from other ground-based and in situ probes. We show that the longitudinal dependence of the daytime and nighttime vertical drifts is much stronger than reported earlier, especially during December and June solstice. The late night downward drift velocities are larger in the eastern than in the western hemisphere at all seasons, the morning and afternoon December solstice drifts have significantly different longitudinal dependence, and the daytime upward drifts have strong wave number-four signatures during equinox and June solstice. The largest evening upward drifts occur during equinox and December solstice near the American sector. The longitudinal variations of the evening prereversal velocity peaks during December and June solstice are anti-correlated, which further indicates the importance of conductivity effects on the electrodynamics of the equatorial ionosphere.

/pdf/quiet-time-equatorial-f-region-vertical-plasma-drift-model-262f231uag.pdf

Quiet time equatorial F region vertical plasma drift model derived from ROCSAT‐1 observations

The electrodynamics of the low-latitude ionosphere: Recent results and future challenges

The neutral winds in the E and F regions are the drivers of the low-latitude ionospheric current system and observed electric field structure. A flux-tube-integrated model of ionospheric electrodynamics is used to examine three proposed causes of the prereversal enhancement of the zonal electric field. All three mechanisms try to define the obscure relationship between the F region dynamo and the evening prereversal enhancement. The results show that the original mechanism proposed by Rishbeth [1971] is the fundamental mechanism. The rapid change in the vertical polarization electric field near local sunset, which is due to the accelerating neutral wind dynamo, produces a corresponding change in the zonal electric field through curl-free requirements. The other two mechanisms do not produce the evening enhancement but alter the enhancement shape and magnitude.

https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1029/98JA02656

Modeling investigation of the evening prereversal enhancement of the zonal electric field in the equatorial ionosphere

[1] DC electric fields and associated E × B plasma drifts detected with the double-probe experiment on the C/NOFS satellite during extreme solar minimum conditions near the June 2008 solstice are shown to be highly variable, with weak to moderate ambient amplitudes of ∼1–2 mV/m (∼25–50 m/s). Average field or drift patterns show similarities to those reported for more active solar conditions, i.e., eastward and outward during day and westward and inward at night. However, these patterns vary significantly with longitude and are not always present. Daytime vertical drifts near the magnetic equator are largest in the prenoon sector. Observations of weak to nonexistent prereversal enhancements in the vertical drifts near sunset are attributable to reduced dynamo activity during solar minimum as well as seasonal effects. Enhanced meridional drifts are observed near sunrise in certain longitude regions, precisely where the enhanced eastward flow that persisted from earlier local times terminates. The nightside ionosphere is characterized by larger-amplitude, structured electric fields dominated by horizontal scales of 500–1500 km even where local plasma densities appear relatively undisturbed. Data acquired during successive orbits indicate that plasma drifts and densities are persistently organized by longitude. The high duty cycle of the C/NOFS observations and its unique orbit promise to expose new physics of the low-latitude ionosphere.

https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1029/2010JA016023

Observations of DC electric fields in the low‐latitude ionosphere and their variations with local time, longitude, and plasma density during extreme solar minimum

San Marco D electric field measurements have been averaged in terms of their equivalent ion drift to produce an average pattern of equatorial zonal and vertical ion drifts. Variations with season, solar activity, Kp, lunar phase and longitude have been analyzed. Similarities and some differences from previous Jicamarca, DE 2 and AE-E results are seen. Confirmation is given of the dominance of the F region dynamo in the 1900-2100 local time region. The daytime zonal ion drift is larger for high F10.7 values than that for low values. There is little variation between high and low values of Kp. Superrotation is evident in this data set and is larger at equinox compared to solstice. At the June solstice there are significant differences between the average ion drifts in the longitude sector where the geomagnetic equator is north of the geographic equator (Indian sector) and the sector where the geomagnetic equator is south of the geographic equator (Peruvian sector). The daytime upward velocity is larger in the Indian sector than in the Peruvian sector, and it reverses later in the evening in the Indian sector. Daytime westward zonal velocities are larger and the nighttime eastward velocities are smaller in the Indian sector. A presunrise enhancement is seen in the downward velocity in the Indian sector but not in the Peruvian sector. Significant variations are also seen with the phase of the moon. In light of current theory, the lunar variations suggest a complex interaction of E and F region dynamo sources with conductivity, changing in phase and character with latitude.

M. Carmen Liebrecht

Papers

Average equatorial zonal and vertical ion drifts determined from San Marco D electric field measurements