Global ionospheric and solar wind interactions through low latitude geomagnetic studies

Abstract

The paper describes the consequences of the special features of the electric field and magnetic field in the equatorial ionosphere being orthogonal to the plasma density gradient, generally referred to as equatorial electrojet effects. Very strong plasma irregularities are generated in the E and F regions which coupled with equatorial plasma fountain disturb the distribution of plasma over very wide latitudes and altitudes. Changes in the equatorial electrojet and associated effects are shown to originate at the magnetosphere due to the interaction of solar wind with interplanetary magnetic fields. Thus the equatorial electrojet phenomena are shown to be very sensitive means of studying couplings between equatorial-auroral latitudes, ionosphere-magnetosphere and magnetosphere-solar wind interactions.