Effect of magnetic activity on electron drifts in equatorial electrojet region

Abstract

ELECTRON drift measurements by spaced receiver technique1,2 that were initiated in January 1964 at Thumba near the magnetic equator have shown close association of drifts with the equatorial electrojet currents as regards the diurnal, seasonal and latitudinal variations3. Even on day to day basis E or F region drift speeds are proportional to the difference in the daily ranges of H at Trivandrum and Alibag4, suggesting drift near the magnetic equator closely linked with the magnitude and direction of the electrojet currents. The E or F region drifts at Thumba are predominantly westward during daytime (07â€"18 h) and eastward during night-time (19â€"07 h). At low latitudes the patterns of electric field variations at the E region are reproduced into the F region through the conducting magnetic lines of forces and thereby the variations in the ionospheric drifts at E and F regions are similar to each other.