Manoj Nair, equatorial ionospheric electrodynamics

Over the past two years, Manoj Nair has contributed significant research results to the field of equatorial ionospheric electrodynamics. Through careful analysis of large data sets, Manoj derived an accurate characterization of the complicated phenomenon of “prompt penetration”, which plays a key role in the interaction between the solar wind and the equatorial ionosphere. It has long been observed that the Interplanetary Electric Field (IEF) in the solar wind shows a remarkable correlation with the Eastward Electric Field (EEF) in the equatorial ionosphere. From direct comparisons of events, it seemed that about 10% of the IEF penetrated to the equatorial ionosphere. Manoj recognized that this popular “10%-rule” could be characterized much more accurately by employing advanced signal processing methods, with which he was familiar from his previous work in magneto-telluric subsurface exploration. Using 8 years of solar wind, radar and satellite measurements, Manoj derived an empirical prompt penetration model which allows scientists to predict electric field variations in the equatorial ionosphere from solar wind observations. This widely recognized work has significantly improved our understanding of prompt penetration and directly benefits electrodynamic models of the equatorial ionosphere.