Open AccessEquatorial zonal electric fields inferred from a 3‐D electrostatic potential model and ground‐based magnetic field measurements
Author(s) -
Shume E. B.,
de Paula E. R.,
Maus S.,
Hysell D. L.,
Rodrigues F. S.,
Bekele A.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
journal of geophysical research: space physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.67
H-Index - 298
eISSN - 2156-2202
pISSN - 0148-0227
DOI - 10.1029/2009ja014158
Subject(s) - electric field , ionosphere , geophysics , longitude , geodesy , latitude , daytime , geology , incoherent scatter , magnetic field , physics , f region , electric potential , computational physics , atmospheric sciences , quantum mechanics , voltage
We present a new technique to infer quiet time zonal electric fields in the daytime equatorial ionosphere. The electric field inference technique utilizes a three‐dimensional (3‐D) electrostatic potential model of the low‐latitude ionosphere constrained by ground‐based magnetic field measurements. To test this technique, inferred zonal electric fields for the Peruvian sector in Jicamarca (11.95°S, 283.13°E, 0.6°N dip latitude) were compared with zonal electric field (vertical drift) measurements made by the Jicamarca Incoherent Scatter Radar. The comparison shows a good agreement between the inferred and measured electric fields. An example of electric field estimation for Davao (7.4°N, 125.4°E, 0.58°S dip latitude) in the Philippines sector is also presented in this report. Inferred electric fields for Davao are in good agreement with F region vertical plasma drifts measured by drift sensors onboard the AE‐E and ROCSAT‐1 satellites on that longitude sector. Our results suggest that realistic estimates of quiet time zonal electric fields for the equatorial ionosphere can be obtained from the 3‐D potential model whenever observatory magnetic field measurements are available.