Ion drifts observed at Malvern: evidence of ion drag and substorm induced electric fields

摘要: Abstract Day-time ion drift observations, made at Malvern (52.1°N, 2.3°W) using an incoherent scatter radar in quadristatic configuration during the period October 1972 to 1974 are analysed. Out of seventeen days' observations considered here nine magnetically quiet days and eight disturbed days. A significant negative correlation was observed between v ∥ (field aligned drift) TN (crossfield meridional plane) on all days, indicating that drag is important even Drifts along field line ' ( after removing component) showed less day-to-day variability as compared ⊥ N E where crossfield zonal plane. The value ~20 ms −1 it found be mostly downwards. Crossfield drifts , ) larger same for their driving electric fields. Values than those stronger north-south large suggest there a contribution from fields magnetospheric origin. major substorm event 18 September accompanied by substantial reduction eastward e though change comparatively smaller. Similar changes noticed other events occurring noon hours European longitude zone. These results confirm penetrate down latitude Malvern.