CEDAR Frontiers: Penetration Electric Field Odile de La Beaujardiere

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CEDAR Frontiers Penetration Electric Field
Odile de La Beaujardiere John Retterer
AFRL/VSBXP odile.delabeaujardiere_at_hanscom.af.mil

• Prompt-penetration E-field to low latitudes
• During magnetic storms, the high latitude E-field
  maps down to the equator
• The region 2 field-aligned currents progressively
  shield the low latitudes
• The mechanisms are poorly understood the role of
  dynamo electric fields, conductivity gradients
  other factors has not been properly modelled

• Ionospheric density and scintillation strongly
  depend on this E-field
• Observations from radars, ionosondes
  magnetometers can provide ground-truth

• Propose studies that advance
• Understanding and accurately modelling the
  physical mechanism of penetration E field
• Modelling of density profiles and suppression /
  generation of equatorial plasma bubbles during
  storms

Upward velocity (m/s) vs UT quiet model storm
model drift from penetration E field ionosonde
v17 April 2002
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• Possible CEDAR Campaign The E field challenge
• Use the Jicamarca incoherent scatter radar,
  ionosondes and magnetometer chains to measure the
  electric field for a 1 to 3 week period
• Model the E-field using solar wind parameters,
  high latitude observations and other data as
  input
• Validate electric field models (time, as well as
  longitude variations)
• Define metrics compare all approaches
• Specify Electron density profiles and plasma
  irregularities
• Radio and Optical observations of equatorial
  ionosphere and plasma bubbles .

• Goals
• More comprehensive understanding of the storm
  time electric field
• Improved forecasting of scintillation and
  ambient density

CEDAR Frontiers- prompt penetration E-fields