EDI convection measurements at 5-6 R_E in the post-midnight region

J. M. Quinn (1) , G. Paschmann (2) , N. Sckopke (2) , V. K. Jordanova (1) , H. Vaith (2) , O. H. Bauer (2) , W. Baumjohann (2) , W. Fillius (3) , G. Haerendel (2) , S. S. Kerr (3) , C. A. Kletzing (4) , K. Lynch (1) , C. E. Mcilwain (3) , R. B. Torbert (1) , E. C. Whipple (5)

1 SSC - UNH Space Science Center [Durham]
2 MPE - Max-Planck-Institut für Extraterrestrische Physik
3 CASS - Center for Astrophysics and Space Sciences [La Jolla]
4 Department of Physics and Astronomy [Iowa City]
5 Geophysics Program

We present the first triangulation measurements of electric fields with the electron drift instrument (EDI) on Equator-S. We show results from five high-data-rate passes of the satellite through the near-midnight equatorial region, at geocentric distances of approximately 5?6 R_E, during geomagnetically quiet conditions. In a co-rotating frame of reference, the measured electric fields have magnitudes of a few tenths of mV/m, with the E × B drift generally directed sunward but with large variations. Temporal variations of the electric field on time scales of several seconds to minutes are large compared to the average magnitude. Comparisons of the "DC" baseline of the EDI-measured electric fields with the mapped Weimer ionospheric model and the Rowland and Wygant CRRES measurements yield reasonable agreement.

Domaines: Océan, Atmosphère; Sciences de la Terre

J. M. Quinn, G. Paschmann, N. Sckopke, V. K. Jordanova, H. Vaith, et al.. EDI convection measurements at 5-6 R_E in the post-midnight region. Annales Geophysicae, 1999, 17 (12), pp.1503-1512. ⟨hal-00316716⟩