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The electrodynamics of the low latitude ionosphere: Recent results and futurechallenges

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics

Volume

59

Publisher

Elsevier

Publication Date

1997

First Page

1465

Abstract

Over the last few years, experimental and numerical modeling studies have provided extensive new information on the electrodynamics of the low-latitude ionosphere. Ground-based studies have determined the average seasonal, solar cycle and magnetic effects on the equatorial and low-latitude plasma drifts and thermospheric neutral winds, and their control over the F-region plasma density distribution. Satellite observations have been used, for the first time, to determine the latitudinal and longitudinal dependence of the F-region plasma drifts, and coordinated ground-based measurements have examined the global response of the low-latitude ionosphere to different high latitude forcing conditions. Recent studies have examined the coupling between storm-time thermospheric neutral winds and plasma drifts, and have determined the low-latitude signatures of magnetospheric and ionospheric dynamo electric fields. In this review, we initially examine the present understanding of low-latitude F-region electrodynamics focusing on the large-scale distribution of the ionospheric electric fields and their response to magnetospheric disturbances. We also discuss future initiatives necessary for a more complete understanding of these low-latitude transport processes.

https://doi.org/10.1016/S1364-6826(96)00149-6

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