Authors: Adero Awuor Ochieng, Paul Baki, Peter Kotze, Collins Mito
Affiliations: Department of Technical and Applied Physics, Technical University of Kenya, P.O Box 52428-00200, Nairobi, Kenya, South Africa National Space Agency (SANSA), P.O Box 32, Hermanus 7200, South Africa, Department of Physics, University of Nairobi, P. O. Box 30197, Nairobi, Kenya
Emails: [email protected]
Journal: International Journal of Fundamental Physical Sciences (IJFPS)
Volume: 3, Issue: 1, Pages: 9-14, Date: March, 2013
ISSN: 2231-8186
DOI: https://doi.org/10.14331/ijfps.2013.330045
The CHAMP satellite enables investigation of in-situ F-region ionospheric currents over the equatorial region during nighttime. This study analyzes the Y-component of Earth's magnetic field where distinctive magnetic residuals are noted. These residuals are confined to the equatorial region and reveal currents both before and after midnight, predominantly in the northern hemisphere. Residuals of about 0.8nT correspond to a current density of approximately 1.3mA/m. The findings indicate significant nighttime F-region dynamo, gravity-driven and plasma-driven currents in the equatorial ionosphere.
Ionosphere, Equatorial ionosphere, ionospheric current systems, magnetic field