For the first time a magnetospheric line current entering the ionosphere ha
s been unambiguously observed. The observation was made with STARE ( = Scan
dinavian Twin Auroral Radar Experiment), a ground based coherent radar syst
em, which has been updated with modern computer technique, and recently tak
en into operation. A counter clockwise turning swirl of ionospheric electro
n drift velocities is synonymous with the presence of a line current Rowing
along the geomagnetic field lines into the ionosphere. A Flux Transfer Eve
nt on the magnetopause has been predicted to connect to the ionosphere via
a line current.