Characteristics of F-region dynamo currents deduced from CHAMP magnetic field measurements

Abstract

Using magnetic field observations of the CHAMP satellite we provide the first comprehensive study of F-region dynamo currents as a function of season, local time, geographic longitude, and solar activity. From bipolar variations of the zonal magnetic field component the density of vertical current driven by the F-region dynamo is deduced. The current strength is smallest around June solstice, which is attributed to a reduced F-region Pedersen conductance caused by a lower electron density and neutral density at that season. During the hours around noon highest current densities are observed. They are flowing downward over the dip equator. A secondary peak of upward currents appears at dusk. The polarity switch occurs between15 and 16 (local time) independent of season. The noontime F-region dynamo current peaks at longitudes connected to the South Atlantic Anomaly, which can be explained by the enhanced conductivity in the region of reduced B field. The F-region current at dusk exhibits no peak in the longitude sector of the South Atlantic Anomaly. At noon, the F-region dynamo currents exhibit a wave 4 longitudinal structure during equinoxes and June solstice. The wave 4 signature becomes weak during December solstice. At dusk the wave 4 signature of F-region dynamo currents is much reduced in all seasons. This behavior can be explained by the DE3 tidal signature in the zonal wind at CHAMP altitude. F-region dynamo currents increase linearly with the solar flux index, F(10.7), during both noon and dusk time sectors. The increase in current strength with increasing F(10.7) is slightly higher at dusk than at noon.