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At least 235 records · Page 13

Coincident observations of ionospheric troughs and the equatorial plasmapause

Electron-density observations made in the topside ionosphere by the Ariel 4 and Isis 2 satellites are examined in conjunction with results obtained by Explorer 45 when it traversed the near-equatorial plasmapause with one hour (both UT and MLT) of the Ariel and Isis traversals of the same L coordinate. Both dusk and night observations are analyzed, and an attempt is made to show that depressions in ionospheric electron density occur in the vicinity of the plasmapause field line. It is concluded that the electron distributions observed in the electron-density troughs at 550 km near dusk by Ariel and at 1400 km near midnight by Isis do not always parallel variations in the light-ion distribution inferred from the Explorer plasmapause traversals and that there appears to be no specific feature of the main ionospheric trough which can be used to identify the plasmapause field line except in a statistical sense.

Grebowsky, J. M.↗

Electron density profile description in the international reference ionosphere

Problems encountered during efforts to reformulate the IRI description of the electron density profile are examined. Consideration is given to Booker's (1979) proposal that the unique, analytic profile functions should cover the entire ionospheric height range. The IRI topside model is reviewed and the electron density profile of the middle and lower ionosphere are discussed. Rawer's (1983) procedure for combining the topside, middle, and lower ionospheric profiles into one analytic profile is reviewed.

Rawer, K.↗

S-6, AN AERONOMY SATELLITE

S6 scientific satellite and measurement of atmospheric parameters, electron density and temperature - pressure & magnetic field variation

ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE↗

Rocket experiments for spectral estimation of electron density fine structure in the auroral and equatorial ionosphere and preliminary results

Sounding rockets equipped to monitor electron density and its fine structure were launched into the auroral and equatorial ionosphere in 1980 and 1983, respectively. The measurement electronics are based on the Langmuir probe and are described in detail. An approach to the spectral analysis of the density irregularities is addressed and a software algorithm implementing the approach is given. Preliminary results of the analysis are presented.

Tomei, B. A.↗

Electron density in the equatorial topside

Ionospheric electron content studies have revealed severe discrepancies between Faraday measurements and model predictions at low latitudes. In this investigation, satellite data of AE-C and Aeros and incoherent scatter data from Jicamarca, Peru and Arecibo, Puerto Rico are used to examine the latitudinal and diurnal extent of this disagreement. It is found that in the modified dip range -30 deg to +30 deg the present IRI relative layer shape underestimates the thickness of the topside electron density during both, day and night. The Bent model which was used as a source for the IRI description performs somewhat better in this critical dip range, though it does not reach the observed values. Also it does not show the observed diurnal variation. A correction to the IRI formula is proposed that guarantees better agreement with the satellite and incoherent scatter data.

Bilitza, D.↗

New empirical models of the electron temperature and density in the Venus ionosphere with application to transterminator flow

Pioneer Venus Orbiter (PVO) electron temperature probe measurements from the Venus years between December 1978 and December 1982 have been used to construct new empirical models of electron temperature and density. The models are used to obtain a two-dimensional solution of the momentum equation for the nightward ion flow velocities believed to be largely responsible for the maintenance of the nightside ionosphere. The velocities at the terminator rise from the neutral atmospheric wind velocity of about 300 m/s at 150 km to a peak velocity exceeding 2000 m/s above 500 km, in general agreement with PVO measurements of ion drift in that region.

Theis, R. F.↗