Influence of uncertainties of the empirical models for inferring the E-region electric fields at the dip equator

Author(s)

Moro, Juliano ^[1] ; Denardini, Clezio Marcos ^[2] ; Araujo Resende, Laysa Cristina ^[2] ; Chen, Sony Su ^[2] ; Schuch, Nelson Jorge ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Southern Reg Space Res Ctr CRS INPE, Ave Roraima 5021, BR-97110970 Santa Maria, RS - Brazil

^[2] Natl Inst Space Res INPE, Ave Astronautas 1758, BR-12227010 Sao Jose Dos Campos, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: EARTH PLANETS AND SPACE; v. 68, JUN 7 2016.
• Web of Science Citations: 6

Abstract

Daytime E-region electric fields play a crucial role in the ionospheric dynamics at the geomagnetic dip latitudes. Due to their importance, there is an interest in accurately measuring and modeling the electric fields for both climatological and near real-time studies. In this work, we present the daytime vertical (Ez) and eastward (Ey) electric fields for a reference quiet day (February 7, 2001) at the Sao Luis Space Observatory, Brazil (SLZ, 2.31 inverted perpendicular S, 44.16 degrees W). The component Ez is inferred from Doppler shifts of type II echoes (gradient drift instability) and the anisotropic factor, which is computed from ion and electron gyro frequencies as well as ion and electron collision frequencies with neutral molecules. The component Ey depends on the ratio of Hall and Pedersen conductivities and Ez. A magnetic field-line-integrated conductivity model is used to obtain the anisotropic factor for calculating Ez and the ionospheric conductivities for calculating Ey. This model uses the NRLMSISE-00, IRI-2007, and IGRF-11 empirical models as input parameters for neutral atmosphere, ionosphere, and geomagnetic field, respectively. Consequently, it is worth determining the uncertainties (or errors) in Ey and Ez associated with these empirical model outputs in order to precisely define the confidence limit for the estimated electric field components. For this purpose, errors of +/-10 % were artificially introduced in the magnitude of each empirical model output before estimating Ey and Ez. The corresponding uncertainties in the ionospheric conductivity and electric field are evaluated considering the individual and cumulative contribution of the artificial errors. The results show that the neutral densities and temperature may be responsible for the largest changes in Ey and Ez, followed by changes in the geomagnetic field intensity and electron and ions compositions. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/08445-9 - Study of day-to-day variability of the mesosphere, thermosphere and ionosphere at low latitude and equatorial region, during the solar cycle 24
• Grantee: Paulo Roberto Fagundes
• Support type: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 14/11198-9 - Analysis of the disturbed electrical fields effects in the sporadic layers on Equatorials and low latitude regions
• Grantee: Láysa Cristina Araújo Resende Chagas
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctorate