Multi‐spacecraft current density estimates in the low‐ and mid‐latitude F‐region ionosphere using the Swarm constellation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Fillion ◽  
G. Hulot ◽  
P. Alken ◽  
A. Chulliat ◽  
P. Vigneron
Keyword(s):  
Current Density ◽  
Density Estimates ◽  
F Region

scholarly journals Velocity shear and current driven instability in a collisional F-region

2009 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 381-394 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. J. G. Perron ◽  
J.-M. A. Noël ◽  
J.-P. St.-Maurice
Keyword(s):  
Dispersion Relation ◽  
Electron Temperature ◽  
Current Density ◽  
Threshold Current ◽  
Velocity Shear ◽  
Ion Temperature ◽  
Fluid Limit ◽  
Low Frequencies ◽  
F Region ◽  
Threshold Conditions

Abstract. We have studied how the presence of collisions affects the behavior of instabilities triggered by a combination of shears and parallel currents in the ionosphere under a variety of ion to electron temperature ratios. To this goal we have numerically solved a kinetic dispersion relation, using a relaxation model to describe the effects of ion and electron collisions. We have compared our solutions to expressions derived in a fluid limit which applied only to large electron to ion temperature ratios. We have limited our study to threshold conditions for the current density and the shears. We have studied how the threshold varies as a function of the wave-vector angle direction and as a function of frequency. As expected, we have found that for low frequencies and/or elevated ion to electron temperature ratios, the kinetic dispersion relation has to be used to evaluate the threshold conditions. We have also found that ion velocity shears can significantly lower the field-aligned threshold current needed to trigger the instability, especially for wave-vectors close to the perpendicular to the magnetic field. However the current density and shear requirements remain significantly higher than if collisions are neglected. Therefore, for ionospheric F-region applications, the effect of collisions should be included in the calculation of instabilities associated with horizontal shears in the vertical flow. Furthermore, in many situations of interest the kinetic solutions should be used instead of the fluid limit, in spite of the fact that the latter can be shown to produce qualitatively valid solutions.

Derivation of the full current density vector in the Earth's ionosphere low- and mid-latitude F region using ESA's Swarm satellites

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Fillion ◽  
Gauthier Hulot ◽  
Patrick Alken ◽  
Arnaud Chulliat ◽  
Pierre Vigneron
Keyword(s):  
Current Density ◽  
Current System ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Current Density Vector ◽  
F Region ◽  
Swarm Satellites ◽  
Density Vector ◽  
Dynamical Features ◽  
The One ◽  
Swarm Satellite

<p>A new multi-spacecraft method to recover estimates of the average three-dimensional current density in the Earth's ionosphere is presented. It is demonstrated using the ESA's Swarm satellite constellation and by taking advantage of the favorable geometrical configurations during the early phase of the mission. The current density vector is calculated inside prisms whose vortices are defined by the satellite positions. The mathematical formalism differs from previous approaches such as the one known as the ”curlometer”. It makes use of the well-known curl-B technique and involves an inverse problem which allows for error propagation through the calculation. Data from the vector field magnetometers of the three satellites are used and special care is taken to characterize the errors on these data. The method is applied in the low- and mid-latitude F-region on 15 February 2014. It provides latitudinal profiles of the full current density vector together with the associated error bars in the morning and evening sectors. We observe several dynamical features such as clear signatures of field-aligned interhemispheric currents, potential signatures of the wind dynamo current system as well as mid-latitude east-west currents.</p>

scholarly journals Statistical study of auroral omega bands

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 1069-1083 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noora Partamies ◽  
James M. Weygand ◽  
Liisa Juusola
Keyword(s):  
Current Density ◽  
Plasma Sheet ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Statistical Study ◽  
Automatic Method ◽  
Density Estimates ◽  
Statistical Studies ◽  
Test Use ◽  
Peak Emission ◽  
Good Agreement

Abstract. The presence of very few statistical studies on auroral omega bands motivated us to test-use a semi-automatic method for identifying large-scale undulations of the diffuse aurora boundary and to investigate their occurrence. Five identical all-sky cameras with overlapping fields of view provided data for 438 auroral omega-like structures over Fennoscandian Lapland from 1996 to 2007. The results from this set of omega band events agree remarkably well with previous observations of omega band occurrence in magnetic local time (MLT), lifetime, location between the region 1 and 2 field-aligned currents, as well as current density estimates. The average peak emission height of omega forms corresponds to the estimated precipitation energies of a few keV, which experienced no significant change during the events. Analysis of both local and global magnetic indices demonstrates that omega bands are observed during substorm expansion and recovery phases that are more intense than average substorm expansion and recovery phases in the same region. The omega occurrence with respect to the substorm expansion and recovery phases is in a very good agreement with an earlier observed distribution of fast earthward flows in the plasma sheet during expansion and recovery phases. These findings support the theory that omegas are produced by fast earthward flows and auroral streamers, despite the rarity of good conjugate observations.

scholarly journals Effects of cost surface uncertainty on current density estimates from circuit theory

PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e9617
Author(s):  
Jeff Bowman ◽  
Elizabeth Adey ◽  
Siow Y.J Angoh ◽  
Jennifer E. Baici ◽  
Michael G.C Brown ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Current Density ◽  
Spatial Configuration ◽  
Landscape Connectivity ◽  
Electrical Current ◽  
Circuit Theory ◽  
Relative Cost ◽  
Density Estimates ◽  
Landscape Elements ◽  
Cost Surface

Background Conservation practitioners are often interested in developing land use plans that increase landscape connectivity, which is defined as the degree to which the landscape facilitates or impedes movement among resource patches. Landscape connectivity is often estimated with a cost surface that indicates the varying costs experienced by an organism in moving across a landscape. True, or absolute costs are rarely known however, and therefore assigning costs to different landscape elements is often a challenge in creating cost surface maps. As such, we consider it important to understand the sensitivity of connectivity estimates to uncertainty in cost estimates. Methods We used simulated landscapes to test the sensitivity of current density estimates from circuit theory to varying relative cost values, fragmentation, and number of cost classes (i.e., thematic resolution). Current density is proportional to the probability of use during a random walk. Using Circuitscape software, we simulated electrical current between pairs of nodes to create current density maps. We then measured the correlation of the current density values across scenarios. Results In general, we found that cost values were highly correlated across scenarios with different cost weights (mean correlation ranged from 0.87 to 0.92). Changing the spatial configuration of landscape elements by varying the degree of fragmentation reduced correlation in current density across maps. We also found that correlations were more variable when the range of cost values in a map was high. Discussion The low sensitivity of current density estimates to relative cost weights suggests that the measure may be reliable for land use applications even when there is uncertainty about absolute cost values, provided that the user has the costs correctly ranked. This finding should facilitate the use of cost surfaces by conservation practitioners interested in estimating connectivity and planning linkages and corridors.

scholarly journals Duskside F-region dynamo currents: its relationship with prereversal enhancement of vertical plasma drift

2010 ◽  
Vol 28 (11) ◽  
pp. 2097-2101 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Park ◽  
H. Lühr ◽  
B. G. Fejer ◽  
K. W. Min
Keyword(s):  
Current Density ◽  
Solar Maximum ◽  
Field Observations ◽  
Longitudinal Variation ◽  
Plasma Drift ◽  
F Region ◽  
Close Relationship ◽  
E Region ◽  
Current Densities ◽  
First Time

Abstract. From magnetic field observations by CHAMP we estimate F-region dynamo current densities near the sunset terminator during solar maximum years from 2001 to 2002. The dynamo currents are compared with the pre-reversal enhancement (PRE) of vertical plasma drift as observed by ROCSAT-1. The seasonal-longitudinal variation of PRE can be largely related to the F-region dynamo current density, with the correlation coefficient reaching 0.74. The correlation can be further improved if we consider a zonal gradient of the E-region Pedersen conductivity, which also depends on season and longitude. It is widely accepted that the F-region dynamo drives PRE near sunset. For the first time, our observations provide confirmation for the close relationship between the F-region dynamo current density and PRE.

Activated Prominences; Mechanisms for Activation and Eruption

1979 ◽  
Vol 44 ◽  
pp. 307-313
Author(s):  
D.S. Spicer
Keyword(s):  
Pressure Gradient ◽  
Density Gradient ◽  
Current Density ◽  
Convective Instability ◽  
Tearing Mode ◽  
Magnetic Shear ◽  
Long Wavelength ◽  
Ideal Mhd ◽  
Gradient Change ◽  
Accelerated Particles

A possible relationship between the hot prominence transition sheath, increased internal turbulent and/or helical motion prior to prominence eruption and the prominence eruption (“disparition brusque”) is discussed. The associated darkening of the filament or brightening of the prominence is interpreted as a change in the prominence’s internal pressure gradient which, if of the correct sign, can lead to short wavelength turbulent convection within the prominence. Associated with such a pressure gradient change may be the alteration of the current density gradient within the prominence. Such a change in the current density gradient may also be due to the relative motion of the neighbouring plages thereby increasing the magnetic shear within the prominence, i.e., steepening the current density gradient. Depending on the magnitude of the current density gradient, i.e., magnetic shear, disruption of the prominence can occur by either a long wavelength ideal MHD helical (“kink”) convective instability and/or a long wavelength resistive helical (“kink”) convective instability (tearing mode). The long wavelength ideal MHD helical instability will lead to helical rotation and thus unwinding due to diamagnetic effects and plasma ejections due to convection. The long wavelength resistive helical instability will lead to both unwinding and plasma ejections, but also to accelerated plasma flow, long wavelength magnetic field filamentation, accelerated particles and long wavelength heating internal to the prominence.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document