Spatial structure of the electromagnetic field inside the ionospheric Alfvén resonator excited by atmospheric lightning activity

• Published in: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Vol. 117; no. A9
• Main Authors: Plyasov, A. A., Surkov, V. V., Pilipenko, V. A., Fedorov, E. N., Ignatov, V. N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01-09-2012; American Geophysical Union
• Subjects: Atmospheric sciences; Electromagnetic fields; Fourier analysis; Geophysics; Ionosphere; ionospheric Alfvén resonator; Lightning; lightning global activity; Mathematics; Radio; random process; satellite observations; Stochastic models; ULF spectra
• ISSN: 0148-0227; 2169-9380; 2156-2202; 2169-9402
• DOI: 10.1029/2012JA017577

We have theoretically estimated ULF spectra on the ground and at ionospheric altitudes in the frequency range of the ionospheric Alfvén resonator (IAR). The IAR has been considered to be excited either by a separate lightning stroke or stochastic global thunderstorm activity. The spectra of both horizontal magnetic and electric components are shown to reveal the spectral resonant structure in the upper ionosphere. The IAR excitation for different ionospheric conditions has been compared. The IAR eigenfrequencies latitudinal inhomogeneity results in the smoothing and shift of the spectral resonance structure. The feasibility of the IAR signature detection by low‐orbiting satellites with magnetic or electric sensors is discussed.
Key Points
Feasibility of IAR signature detection by low‐orbiting satellites is discussed