This animation shows the equivalent current streamlines (the current flows along these lines) in the ionosphere at an altitude of approximately 110 km that are generated by the sun as predicted by the Sq model. Solid lines indicate counter-clockwise flow and dotted lines indicate clockwise flow. The center of the plot is local magnetic noon. The observer is at the position of the sun at a fixed point in space while the Earth rotates around its magnetic dipole axis. Each frame represents one hour. As the Earth rotates, the intensity and location of the ionosphere currents vary due to interaction with the Earth's main magnetic field. These currents generate a magnetic field on the surface of the Earth on the order of 10s of nT. This animation is for June 21 (the northern summer).

Return to Sq Home Page