Ionospheric F-region currents estimated from Macau Science Satellite-1 and Swarm satellite magnetic data

Accurate modeling of Earth’s ionospheric F-region currents is essential for refining geomagnetic field models and understanding magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling. In this study, we develop averaged models to characterize F-region currents using magnetic data from the MSS-1 (Macau Science Satellite-1...

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Main Authors: JuYuan Xu, HongBo Yao, Keke Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Science Press 2025-05-01
Series:Earth and Planetary Physics
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Online Access:http://www.eppcgs.org/article/doi/10.26464/epp2025052?pageType=en
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author JuYuan Xu
HongBo Yao
Keke Zhang
author_facet JuYuan Xu
HongBo Yao
Keke Zhang
author_sort JuYuan Xu
collection DOAJ
description Accurate modeling of Earth’s ionospheric F-region currents is essential for refining geomagnetic field models and understanding magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling. In this study, we develop averaged models to characterize F-region currents using magnetic data from the MSS-1 (Macau Science Satellite-1) and Swarm satellite missions. Our approach employs a toroidal field representation, utilizing spherical harmonics to capture spatial variations and Fourier series to represent temporal dynamics. Two models, Model-A and Model-B, derived from distinct datasets, are constructed to represent current patterns at altitudes of 450 km and 512 km, respectively. Our models successfully capture the primary spatial structures and seasonal variations of polar field-aligned currents. Additionally, they accurately reproduce the localized inter-hemispheric field-aligned currents observed in mid and low latitudes during solstices, particularly between 14:00 and 16:00 magnetic local times. These findings enhance our understanding of ionospheric F-region currents and contribute to more precise geomagnetic field modeling.
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spelling doaj-art-eed25b7ddb5f498280047140492695b02025-08-20T02:13:20ZengScience PressEarth and Planetary Physics2096-39552025-05-019373173910.26464/epp2025052S22598-xujuyuan-FIonospheric F-region currents estimated from Macau Science Satellite-1 and Swarm satellite magnetic dataJuYuan Xu0HongBo Yao1Keke Zhang2Macau Institute of Space Technology and Application, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macao 999078, ChinaMacau Institute of Space Technology and Application, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macao 999078, ChinaMacau Institute of Space Technology and Application, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macao 999078, ChinaAccurate modeling of Earth’s ionospheric F-region currents is essential for refining geomagnetic field models and understanding magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling. In this study, we develop averaged models to characterize F-region currents using magnetic data from the MSS-1 (Macau Science Satellite-1) and Swarm satellite missions. Our approach employs a toroidal field representation, utilizing spherical harmonics to capture spatial variations and Fourier series to represent temporal dynamics. Two models, Model-A and Model-B, derived from distinct datasets, are constructed to represent current patterns at altitudes of 450 km and 512 km, respectively. Our models successfully capture the primary spatial structures and seasonal variations of polar field-aligned currents. Additionally, they accurately reproduce the localized inter-hemispheric field-aligned currents observed in mid and low latitudes during solstices, particularly between 14:00 and 16:00 magnetic local times. These findings enhance our understanding of ionospheric F-region currents and contribute to more precise geomagnetic field modeling.http://www.eppcgs.org/article/doi/10.26464/epp2025052?pageType=enmacau science satellite-1swarmfield-aligned currentsgeomagnetism; ionosphere
spellingShingle JuYuan Xu
HongBo Yao
Keke Zhang
Ionospheric F-region currents estimated from Macau Science Satellite-1 and Swarm satellite magnetic data
Earth and Planetary Physics
macau science satellite-1
swarm
field-aligned currents
geomagnetism; ionosphere
title Ionospheric F-region currents estimated from Macau Science Satellite-1 and Swarm satellite magnetic data
title_full Ionospheric F-region currents estimated from Macau Science Satellite-1 and Swarm satellite magnetic data
title_fullStr Ionospheric F-region currents estimated from Macau Science Satellite-1 and Swarm satellite magnetic data
title_full_unstemmed Ionospheric F-region currents estimated from Macau Science Satellite-1 and Swarm satellite magnetic data
title_short Ionospheric F-region currents estimated from Macau Science Satellite-1 and Swarm satellite magnetic data
title_sort ionospheric f region currents estimated from macau science satellite 1 and swarm satellite magnetic data
topic macau science satellite-1
swarm
field-aligned currents
geomagnetism; ionosphere
url http://www.eppcgs.org/article/doi/10.26464/epp2025052?pageType=en
work_keys_str_mv AT juyuanxu ionosphericfregioncurrentsestimatedfrommacausciencesatellite1andswarmsatellitemagneticdata
AT hongboyao ionosphericfregioncurrentsestimatedfrommacausciencesatellite1andswarmsatellitemagneticdata
AT kekezhang ionosphericfregioncurrentsestimatedfrommacausciencesatellite1andswarmsatellitemagneticdata