E-region dynamo in the equatorial ionosphere

Abstract

The neutral wind dynamo is one of the main sources of global-scale electric field generation in the ionosphere. The thermospheric winds in the altitude regions of 90~500 km move the conducting medium through the geomagnetic field, producing an electromotive force. This force drives currents and sets up polarization electric fields, which has strong implications in the ionosphere. In particular, the dynamo in the E region ionosphere is one of the most important physical mechanisms that connect the lower atmosphere to the ionosphere. Main outcomes of the E-region dynamo in the equatorial ionosphere are the equatorial anomaly and electrojet. In this presentation, fundamentals of the E-region dynamo will be reviewed with a recent example, showing strong influences of the lower atmosphere on the ionosphere.