The Equatorial Ionization Anomaly (EIA)

[Solar]

NASA's fairly recent probe ICON : The Ionospheric Connection Explorer explores the dynamics of Earth’s ionosphere-Thermosphere system.

ICON Homepage (See “Publications page” for periodic papers)

GOLD Homepage (see “Publications page for periodic scientific papers)

In conjunction with Global-scale Observations of the Limb and Disk (GOLD) probe one of the early observations concerned the curious ‘belt-like’ dynamic feature known as the Equatorial Ionization Anomaly. Here is that paper:

The NASA Global‐scale Observations of the Limb and Disk (GOLD) mission has flown an ultraviolet‐imaging spectrograph on SES‐14, a communications satellite in geostationary orbit at 47.5°W longitude. That instrument observes the Earth's far ultraviolet (FUV) airglow at ~134–162 nm using two identical channels. The observations performed include limb scans, stellar occultations, and images of the sunlit and nightside disk from 6:10 to 00:40 universal time each day. Initial analyses reveal interesting and unexpected results as well as the potential for further studies of the Earth's thermosphere‐ionosphere system and its responses to solar‐geomagnetic forcing and atmospheric dynamics. Thermospheric composition ratios for major constituents, O and N2, temperatures near 160 km, and exospheric temperatures are retrieved from the daytime observations. Molecular oxygen (O2) densities are measured using stellar occultations. At night, emission from radiative recombination in the ionospheric F region is used to quantify ionospheric density variations in the equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA). Regions of depleted F region electron density are frequently evident, even during the current solar minimum. These depletions are caused by the “plasma fountain effect” and are associated with the instabilities, scintillations, or “spread F” seen in other types of observations, and GOLD makes unique observations for their study: Initial Observations by the GOLD Mission: R. W. Eastes W. E. McClintock A. G. Burns et al

Also see:

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration Global‐scale Observations of the Limb and Disk ultraviolet spectrograph has been imaging the equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA), regions of the ionosphere with enhanced electron density north and south of the magnetic equator, since October 2018. The initial 3 months of observations was during solar minimum conditions, and they included observations in December solstice of unanticipated variability and depleted regions. Depletions are seen on most nights, in contrast to expectations from previous space‐based observations. The variety of scales and morphologies also pose challenges to understanding of the EIA. Abrupt changes in the EIA location, which could be related to in situ measurements of large‐scale depletion regions, are observed on some nights. Such synoptic‐scale disruptions have not been previously identified. -Global‐Scale Observations of the Equatorial Ionization Anomaly: R. W. Eastes S. C. Solomon R. E. Daniell et al

[Solar]

Forgot to link an image. This is from a different source:

Estimation of electron densities in the lower thermosphere from GUVI 135.6nm tomographic inversions in support of SpreadFEx F. Kamalabadi, J. M. Comberiate et al

[Solar]

An interesting curiosity:

During a presentation regarding "Investigating the Thermosphere Ionosphere System through FUV Emissions" the nature of the Equatorial Ionization Anomaly was addressed. The presenter says:

“Basically what happens is you have net positive charge on the dawn side and net negative charges on the dusk side and you get an electric field that points from dawn to dusk. And then you get a current that appears in the E Region because conductivity abruptly rises and falls at the terminator and you get this equatorial electrojet. Then you have, and I’m running through this very quickly, but basically you have upward ExB drift and then field aligned plasma diffusion along the magnetic field lines. So, what this really looks like is a trough, or a bite out, of plasma right along the geomagnetic equator and then two peaks or crest of plasma on either side during geomagnetically quite times at around fifteen degrees geomagnetic latitude.”

Be sure to notice that the image being used is oriented such that the magnetic equator is up; so you'll have to rotate it in your headspace. Earth has an "Auroral Electrojet", and an "Equatorial Electrojet". Another representation of the dynamic can be seen on page 11 of the following Slideplayer presentation:

NASA Response of the Earth’s environment to solar radiative forcing Ingrid Cnossen British Antarctic Survey (See: pg 11)

Meanwhile: In other news, on May 10, 2013 NASA showcased a:

SDO 10 year composite image of Solar activity

They also have a page that showcases a:

SDO Three Year Composite Image (Scroll down)

Once Helment Streamers are added into the mix why does there seem to exist a broadly interesting orders of magnitude relationship between the Suns equatorial activities at is (magnetic) equator and Earth's equatorial Electrojet?

[JP Michael]

This is fascinating stuff, Solar. Thanks for posting these.

[Solar]

JP Michael this thread was inspired by the questions you’ve asked here, I found the questions interesting. Researching some of those questions opened a Pandora's Box as there are quite a lot of interconnected features in the 'patterns' of these types of dynamics. For example, Astrophysics and Solar Physics has begun to recognize the presence of a certain reoccurring ‘pattern’ as being a universal dynamic.

1-Magnetic Reconnection and its nomenclature

2-EU-Plasma Cosmology and its nomenclature (“a reconfiguration of the currents via Alfven’s explodive double-layers)

3-Dense Plasma Focus and its nomenclature (notice the portrayal of the ‘shape of the ‘arch’ of filaments and ‘beam’)

4- The Presentation linked above with its brief electrodynamic description

Maybe this might serve as something around which the various disciplines could converge? Doubtful though.

What is also interesting is that with the Ionosphere-Troposphere some of the sub-stratifications appear during daytime and disappear during night time:

The height, fraction of ionized particles, and even the existence of the different regions of the ionosphere varies over time. The ionosphere is very different in the daytime versus night. During the day, X-rays an UV light from the Sun continuously provides the energy that knocks electrons free from atoms and molecules, producing a continuous supply of ions and free electrons. At the same time, some of the ions and electrons collide and re-combine to form normal, electrically neutral atoms and molecules. During the day, more ions are created than are destroyed, so the number of ions in the three regions increases. At night, the recombination process takes over in the absence of sunlight, and the number of ions drops. Over the course of most nights, the D region disappears entirely and the E region weakens as the number of ions in that layer plummets. Each morning, as solar X-rays and UV light return, the D and E regions are repopulated with ions. The highest altitude F region sticks around throughout the night, but generally splits into an upper F2 layer and a lower F1 layer during the day. - UCAR

Ionospheric Layers Graphic with Day and Night labeled at the bottom

So this is the 'regenerative' aspect of the Air and Water Cycles. Both Air, and Water, molecules can be ionized and broken down into their base atomic constituents. They can also "recombine" in these regions. That means that (for some portion thereof) it would not be the case that the same air or water molecule(s) that went up into the ionosphere are the same air, or water, that comes back down. In these regions some portion of Air and Water (vapor) are created anew out of base constituents.

The moon is also known to electrostatically charge in this way:

Introduction: Although the lunar environment is often considered to be essentially static, it is in fact very electrically active. Measurements from the Lunar Prospector spacecraft imply lunar surface electrostatic potentials as large as 5 kilovolts during extreme space weather events. Surface electrification likely also affects dust, with observations from the Apollo era indicating transport of lunar dust to altitudes of ~100 km, and acceleration of charged dust grains to speeds of up to ~1 km/sec near the lunar terminator. Electrified dust grains can adhere to machinery, and large electric fields could also directly affect machinery. - LUNAR ELECTRIC FIELDS AND DUST: IMPLICATIONS FOR IN SITU RESOURCE UTILIZATION. J.S. Halekas, G.T. Delory et al

There is a slight mess (imho) with regard to the concepts of "hot", "warm", "cold" and "Temperature" and whether or not those terms mean what one would normally think of as "Temperature". See: Cold, Warm, and hot plasma

[Robertus Maximus]

An interesting curiosity:

Meanwhile: In other news, on May 10, 2013 NASA showcased a:

SDO 10 year composite image of Solar activity

They also have a page that showcases a:

SDO Three Year Composite Image (Scroll down)

Once Helment Streamers are added into the mix why does there seem to exist a broadly interesting orders of magnitude relationship between the Suns equatorial activities at is (magnetic) equator and Earth's equatorial Electrojet?

Solar, an interesting relationship it is. The images from SDO are compelling and certainly no coincidence. During the 3 year timescale of the video, SDO was observing the Sun during increasing solar activity 2010-2013. To my mind, during solar maximum, dark lanes visible at certain wavelengths, trace a chevron pattern similar to the ‘Y’ pattern in Venus’ atmosphere when viewed equator on. During this time a cyclonic pattern appears at the Sun’s North Pole, by extension McIntosh solar maps suggest a similar feature at the Sun’s South Pole- as I covered here:
https://www.thunderbolts.info/forum/php ... 25#p127597

The link to the video referred to in my post is: https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/12550

The cyclonic pattern is most recognisable in the fourth video, perhaps, more accurately the pattern mimics the shape of a spiral galaxy, the ‘arms’ corresponding with the ‘dark lanes’.

The magnetic equator of Jupiter is known to share similarities with Earth’s magnetic equator: https://le.ac.uk/news/2018/july/ribbon2 ... ic-equator

Why would completely different celestial bodies display similar phenomena if, as assumed by consensus science, they are isolated bodies?

If we assume all the bodies in question are powered externally, perhaps we have an explanation for the similar patterns we observe?

[Solar]

The magnetic equator of Jupiter is known to share similarities with Earth’s magnetic equator: https://le.ac.uk/news/2018/july/ribbon2 ... ic-equator

Why would completely different celestial bodies display similar phenomena if, as assumed by consensus science, they are isolated bodies?

If we assume all the bodies in question are powered externally, perhaps we have an explanation for the similar patterns we observe?

Relative to other magnetized celestial bodies having both auroral electrojets and Equatorial Electrojets the SDO 10 year composite image of Solar activity is curious.

Perhaps the similarities are a clue; but who in their right mind would suggest that the Sun might likewise have its own version of an equatorial electrojet and/or ring current ie some azimuthal component of charges circulating in discoidal fashion about its magnetic equator? Internal versus externally "powered" is a relationship that can be confusing. Energetic bodies, celestial or otherwise, appear to be able to both absorb energy from the environment - said energy can then be 'internalized', converted (transduce?), while simultaneously re-radiating energy back into the environment - which then becomes useful again. Some aspects can be seen as definitely 'environmental' but then some aspects can seem autogenous (self-generating). It is a CYCLE, not a one way street:

Hubble confirms: galaxies are ultimate recyclers

Similar approaches present similar confusions when astrophysics tries to discern the nature of some cosmic backgrounds - the UV background for example. A UV background is present. Does the background 'cause' the ability of celestial sources to emit UV, or do the sources that emit UV 'cause' the the background? No matter which 'end' one grabs ahold of as 'cause' there's not enough to induce the number of UV emitting sources, nor do the number of UV emitting sources present enough to form the background (or so). Infinite loop situation. Somehow both UV sources and UV background environment contribute to one another; but no one seems to know how. How does one find the 'end', or 'beginning', of a circle?

[Holger Isenberg]

NASA's fairly recent probe ICON : The Ionospheric Connection Explorer explores the dynamics of Earth’s ionosphere-Thermosphere system.

In conjunction with Global-scale Observations of the Limb and Disk (GOLD) probe one of the early observations concerned the curious ‘belt-like’ dynamic feature known as the Equatorial Ionization Anomaly. Here is that paper:

Initial Observations by the GOLD Mission: R. W. Eastes W. E. McClintock A. G. Burns et al

Interesting! That's the same mysterious double ring seen by the first kind-of public space-based UV observatory, a golden UV telescope placed on the lunar surface during Apollo 16 in 1972:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Far_Ultra ... 20spectrum.