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Park, R. J.

Publications and source records attributed to Park, R. J..

3 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1977

Incoherent scatter radar observations during August 4-7, 1972

E- and lower F-region data obtained by the incoherent scatter radar of Chatanika, Alaska were used to analyze the height-integrated Hall and Pedersen conductivities, electric fields, ionospheric currents, electron densities, and rate of heating of the neutral atmosphere by particle precipitation and by electric current dissipation during the period of intense solar flares, August 4-7, 1972. Although the magnetosphere was unusually disturbed magnetically, the radar data were in general not particularly larger than those seen during more quiet periods. Chatanika seemed to be in the auroral oval during nearly the whole of the time period studied, implying a greatly expanded size of the oval.

Weddle, T.↗
NASA NTRS1971

Rocket-based measurement of Birkeland currents related to an auroral arc and electrojet.

A rocket-borne experiment performed to study currents associated with a quiet auroral arc is discussed. The magnetic field in the vicinity of the arc was measured with a vector magnetometer, while the orientation of the payload was determined with a lunar-aspect sensor. Possible current configurations were inferred by constructing model current systems that reproduced the magnetic field variations measured along the flight path. The data are interpreted in terms of a model current system consisting of a northwestward electrojet and two oppositely directed Birkeland sheet currents, all lying in planes approximately parallel to the auroral arc. The current density integrated through the 16-km thickness of each Birkeland current sheet was found to be roughly 0.16 A/m. The electrojet current was roughly 6000 A.

Park, R. J.↗