Scientists Develop Precise Model for Predicting Intense Electric Currents in Earth's Equatorial Ionosphere

The Indian Equatorial Electrojet (IEEJ) Model offers unprecedented accuracy in forecasting equatorial ionospheric currents, promising improvements in satellite communication, navigation systems, and infrastructure resilience.

Scientists at the Indian Institute of Geomagnetism (IIG) have developed an advanced empirical model called the Indian Equatorial Electrojet (IEEJ) Model, designed to predict a narrow band of intense electric current known as the Equatorial ElectroJet (EEJ) with remarkable precision. The EEJ, a powerful current in Earth’s ionosphere at an altitude of around 105–110 kilometres, is responsible for significant geomagnetic field variations near the equator and plays a vital role in satellite orbital dynamics, Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), and communication networks.

Located near the southern tip of India, the geomagnetic equator is home to this intense jet, carrying currents up to 100 kiloamperes (kA). This current enhances the local geomagnetic field by several nano tesla (nT), which can be measured using ground-based magnetometers stationed at IIG's Tirunelveli observatory. Long-term measurements by IIG scientists have provided insights into how EEJ variations impact not only satellite communication but also power grids and pipelines.

With over two decades of data, the IIG team based in Navi Mumbai, an autonomous institute under India’s Department of Science and Technology, has created a model that allows for precise EEJ predictions. Published in the journal Space Weather, the IEEJ Model is the first of its kind to focus on the Indian sector’s equatorial ionosphere. The web interface, which is accessible to the public, allows users to simulate EEJ current strength for specific dates and solar conditions, providing output in both ASCII and PNG graphical formats.

The potential applications of this model are extensive. In addition to improving GNSS-based navigation and positioning, the IEEJ Model may help reinforce the resilience of transmission lines and aid industries such as oil and gas, which rely on long-distance pipelines that are vulnerable to geomagnetic disturbances.

This breakthrough in geomagnetic research represents a significant step forward in understanding and predicting equatorial ionospheric phenomena, which will play a crucial role in supporting infrastructure and technology that depend on stable satellite communications.