Current Understanding of the Equatorial E x B Drift velocities in the African Sector: A Short Review

Authors

  • B. O. Adebesin Department of Physical Sciences, Landmark University, P.M.B 1001, Omu-Aran, Kwara State, Nigeria.
  • J. O. Adeniyi Department of Physical Sciences, Landmark University, P.M.B 1001, Omu-Aran, Kwara State, Nigeria.
  • I. A. Adimula Department of Physics, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
  • S. J. Adebiyi Department of Physical Sciences, Landmark University, P.M.B 1001, Omu-Aran, Kwara State, Nigeria.
  • S. O. Ikubanni Department of Physical Sciences, Landmark University, P.M.B 1001, Omu-Aran, Kwara State, Nigeria.
  • B. J. Adekoya Department of Physics, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, Nigeria

Keywords:

Vertical E x B Drift, Pre-reversal enhancement, Plasma, Ionosphere, Equatorial region

Abstract

A short review of the pattern and morphology of the equatorial plasma drift velocities, particularly during the evening-time Pre-reversal enhancement (PRE) period in the African region had been presented. The seasonal PRE peak values across some locations in the West-African region were considered and compared with other sectors of the world. While most plasma drift observations in the African region were calculated from ionosonde measurements, the observations from other sectors involved direct measurement from satellite and the Incoherent Scatter Radar (ISR) observations. The importance of the PRE in ionospheric electrodynamics was highlighted, the better in the use of either the virtual or real heights of the F-layer in inferring vertical drift velocities were enumerated, revealing the strengths and weakness of each method. The general observations revealed that PRE peak magnitude is commonly weaker in the African region in comparison with the American/Peruvian and Indian sectors, seasonal and solar activity dependent, and could be higher during either magnetic quiet or disturbed activity than when both magnetic activity conditions are combined. The first work to present a regional PRE model around the African equatorial ionization anomaly region (Adebesin et al model) was mentioned. The relevance of the E × B drift in quantifying the daytime equatorial electrojet (EEJ) current was also discussed.

Dimensions

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Published

2022-02-27

How to Cite

Current Understanding of the Equatorial E x B Drift velocities in the African Sector: A Short Review . (2022). Journal of the Nigerian Society of Physical Sciences, 4(1), 54-58. https://doi.org/10.46481/jnsps.2022.327

Issue

Volume 4, Issue 1, February 2022

Section

Review Article
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How to Cite

Current Understanding of the Equatorial E x B Drift velocities in the African Sector: A Short Review . (2022). Journal of the Nigerian Society of Physical Sciences, 4(1), 54-58. https://doi.org/10.46481/jnsps.2022.327