Three-dimensional Birkeland-ionospheric current system, determined from MAGSAT

Abstract

The relationship of Birkeland currents and ionospheric currents has been determined from MAGSAT magnetic field observations. A two-dimensional ionospheric current analysis using a Fourier technique has been used to study several MAGSAT orbits on March 21, 1980. The use of the MAGSAT data allows an extensive ionospheric current system to be matched directly to the inferred Birkeland current system without the aid of a conductivity model (this is not the case with Birkeland currents deduced from surface magnetic field measurements). The results include electrojet current distributions that are generally triangular with peak intensity at the center and, in some cases, more complicated distributions associated with equally complicated Birkeland currents. The Birkeland currents generally occupy the same latitudes as do the electrojets, and the Region 1-Region 2 boundary is located near the center of the electrojet.