Articles | Volume 27, issue 4
https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-27-1593-2009
https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-27-1593-2009
03 Apr 2009
 | 03 Apr 2009

Counter electrojet features in the Brazilian sector: simultaneous observation by radar, digital sounder and magnetometers

C. M. Denardini, M. A. Abdu, H. C. Aveiro, L. C. A. Resende, P. D. S. C. Almeida, Ê. P. A. Olívio, J. H. A. Sobral, and C. M. Wrasse

Abstract. In the present work we show new results regarding equatorial counter electrojet (CEJ) events in the Brazilian sector, based on the RESCO radar, two set of fluxgate magnetometer systems and a digital sounder. RESCO radar is a 50 MHz backscatter coherent radar installed in 1998 at São Luís (SLZ, 2.33° S, 44.60° W), an equatorial site. The Digital sounder routinely monitors the electron density profile at the radar site. The magnetometer systems are fluxgate-type installed at SLZ and Eusébio (EUS, 03.89° S, 38.44° W). From the difference between the horizontal component of magnetic field at SLZ station and the same component at EUS (EEJ ground strength) several cases of westward morning electrojet and its normal inversion to the eastward equatorial electrojet (EEJ) have been observed. Also, the EEJ ground strength has shown some cases of CEJ events, which been detected with the RESCO radar too. Detection of these events were investigated with respect to their time and height of occurrence, correlation with sporadic E (Es) layers at the same time, and their spectral characteristics as well as the radar echo power intensity.