Calibration of electric field data of DEMETER satellite

ABSTRACT

In this paper, based on the data measured by the space-borne ICE (Instrument Champ Electrique) electric field meters of the DEMETER (Detection of Electro-Magnetic Emission Transmitted from Earthquake Regions) satellite, the induced electric fields generated by the electric antennas of ICE when they cut the Earth’s geomagnetic lines during the satellite’s motion are computed, and the electrostatic field data in the range of ultra low frequency (ULF: f < 3 kHz) are calibrated. The numerical results indicate that the induced electric fields generated by the electric antennas of the space-borne electric field meters account for a considerable proportion among the data of electric fields measured by the DEMETER satellite. Besides, a more conspicuous regularity is presented as the magnitude of the modified electric fields varies with the Earth’s latitudes and longitudes.

KEYWORDS:

• DEMETER satellite
• space-borne electric field meter
• the Earth’s ambient electric fields
• orbits of the ionosphere