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Detailed Reference Information |
Lühr, H., Maus, S., Rother, M. and Cooke, D. (2002). First in-situ observation of night-time F region currents with the CHAMP satellite. Geophysical Research Letters 29: doi: 10.1029/2001GL013845. issn: 0094-8276. |
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The CHAMP satellite in its polar, low-Earth orbit (450 km altitude) is a suitable platform for studying F region currents. High precision magnetic field measurements are used to detect and characterize these upper ionospheric currents on the Earth's nightside. A few examples are presented to illustrate the special features of the currents and a statistical study is performed on half a year of data revealing their global distribution. We find a spatial confinement of the currents to the near-equatorial region bounded by the Appleton anomaly and their appearance in the pre-midnight sector. The distribution with longitude exhibits high occurrence rates in the Atlantic sector and very few events in the Indian sector. The currents flow generally westward at a height-integrated current density of several mA/m. Small-scale fluctuations observed in current intensity are interpreted as an indication for plasma instabilities in the F region. Our analysis indicates that the appearance of F region currents is coupled with the presence of plasma bubbles. |
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Abstract |
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Keywords
Ionosphere, Equatorial ionosphere, Ionosphere, Current systems, Ionosphere, Ionospheric irregularities |
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Publisher
American Geophysical Union 2000 Florida Avenue N.W. Washington, D.C. 20009-1277 USA 1-202-462-6900 1-202-328-0566 service@agu.org |
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