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Heliophysics Science Division
Operational

C/NOFS Vector Electric Field Instrument (VEFI)

VEFI measures direct current (DC) electric fields, which cause the bulk plasma motion that drives the ionospheric plasma to be unstable. Additionally, it measures the quasi-DC electric fields within the plasma density depletions to reveal the motions of the depletions relative to the background ionosphere. VEFI also measures the vector AC electric field, which characterizes the ionospheric disturbances associated with spread-F irregularities.

Launch Date

April 2008

Class

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Website

VEFI measures direct current (DC) electric fields, which cause the bulk plasma motion that drives the ionospheric plasma to be unstable. Additionally, it measures the quasi-DC electric fields within the plasma density depletions to reveal the motions of the depletions relative to the background ionosphere. VEFI also measures the vector AC electric field, which characterizes the ionospheric disturbances associated with spread-F irregularities.

Related Publications

2021. "The Vector Electric Field Investigation (VEFI) on the C/NOFS Satellite.", Space Science Reviews, 217 (8): 85 [10.1007/s11214-021-00859-y] [Journal Article/Letter]

2022. "Dual sounding rocket and C/NOFS satellite observations of DC electric fields and plasma density in the equatorial E and F region ionosphere at sunset.", Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics, [10.1029/2021ja030191] [Journal Article/Letter]

2013. "Exploring the role of ionospheric drivers during the extreme solar minimum of 2008.", Annales Geophysicae, 31 2147-2156 [10.5194/angeo-31-2147-2013] [Journal Article/Letter]