EDI convection measurements at 5-6 RE in the post-midnight regionJ. M. Quinn1, G. Paschmann2, N. Sckopke2, V. K. Jordanova1, H. Vaith2, O. H. Bauer2, W. Baumjohann2, W. Fillius3, G. Haerendel2, S. S. Kerr3, C. A. Kletzing4, K. Lynch1, C. E. McIlwain3, R. B. Torbert1, and E. C. Whipple51Space Science Center, Morse Hall, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, 03824, USA
2Max-Planck-Institut f. extraterrestrische Physik, 85740 Garching, Germany
3Center for Astrophysics and Space Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
4Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IO, 52242, USA
5Geophysics Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
Abstract. 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 RE, 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.
Key words. Magnetospheric physics (electric fields;
plasma convection; instruments and techniques)
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Citation: Quinn, J. M., Paschmann, G., Sckopke, N., Jordanova, V. K., Vaith, H., Bauer, O. H., Baumjohann, W., Fillius, W., Haerendel, G., Kerr, S. S., Kletzing, C. A., Lynch, K., McIlwain, C. E., Torbert, R. B., and Whipple, E. C.: EDI convection measurements at 5-6 RE in the post-midnight region, Ann. Geophys., 17, 1503-1512, 1999. Bibtex EndNote Reference Manager