Ionospheric electrical currents in the late evening plasma flow reversal

Journal Article · Sat Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1979 · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JA084iA09p05339· OSTI ID:5699286

Behm, D A; Primdahl, F; Zanetti, Jr, L J; Arnoldy, R L; Cahill, Jr, L J

An instrumented sounding rocket was launched from Andya, Norway, in January 1977, in the late evening auroral oval. Its trajectory took it northward over a quiet auroral arc and over a region of plasma flow reversal. Horizontal currents were inferred from magnetic field measurements; they were also calculated from the measured electric field and conductivities derived from energetic particle influxes. South of the reversal region the sheet current density of the eastward electrojet was found to be approx.0.1 A/m, while north of the reversal the current density was less than 0.05 A/m. The currents were enhanced in the arc. Current continuity considerations in the meridian plane implied downward field-aligned currents at the southern edge of the arc and upward field-aligned currents at the northern edge.

• Research Organization: Space Science Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minn. 55455
• OSTI ID: 5699286
• Journal Information: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States) Vol. 84:A9; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640301* -- Atomic
Molecular & Chemical Physics-- Beams & their Reactions
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
AURORAL OVAL
CURRENTS
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
ELECTRIC FIELDS
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
IONOSPHERE
MAGNETIC FIELDS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PLANETARY IONOSPHERES
PLASMA DRIFT