Equatorial Electrojet and Sq Current System Part II

Abstract

The ‘separation’ procedure described in Part I has been used to divide the Sq current system into three subsystems. The first of these is associated with seasonal variations and has current strength of about 100 kA. Its origin appears to be semidiurnal winds. The second subsystem is called the ‘Fuquene’ system and has a strength about 150 kA (±50%). It appears to be due to magnetospheric sources and, at least at the equator, may not flow at ionospheric heights. The third subsystem is called the ‘constant’ and has a strength of about 220 kA (±50%). It is possibly due to direct ionospheric heating. © 1979, Society of Geomagnetism and Earth, Planetary and Space Sciences. All rights reserved.