Equatorial Counter Electrojet-Solution of Some Dilemma

Abstract

The examination of horizontal geomagnetic fields at Huancayo and Fuquene with corresponding <i>f</i>Esq at Huancayo at intervals of each 5 min during storms, revealed that any disappearance of Esq corresponded to the negative ∆<i>H</i> (Huancayo) ∆<i>H</i> (Fuquene) with reference to the value at midnight. The occurrences of Esq and the upwards vertical F-region electron drift had excellent correlation with positive ∆<i>H</i> (equator) - ∆<i>H</i> (low latitude) and not with ∆<i>H</i> (equator) or ∆<i>H</i>_ST proposed by Rao et al. [Rao M M, Sethuraman R &amp; <i>Alamelu V. Indian J Radio &amp; Space Phys</i>, 13 (1984) 71.] Some of the dilemma pointed out by Kane [Kane R P, <i>Indian J Radio &amp; Space Phys.</i> 5 (1976) 6] have been either due to the choice of the hourly mean geomagnetic data or due to using some non-q type sporadic-E layer data for the analyses. There is no dilemma if instantaneous values of the <i>H</i> field at equatorial and low latitude stations and only the equatorial (q) type of sporadic-E layer data are used to study the effect of counter electrojet on the equatorial ionosphere.