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Magnetospheric plasma circulation produced by ionospheric dynamo action studied by observation of ionospheric electrostatic field distribution
Interpretation of ionospheric resonances stimulated by Alouette I - electrostatic plasma wave theory, observation of group delay, and application to ionosphere
Ionospheric stabilization of interchange mode calculation applied to electron debris of Star Fish event, noting role of ionospheric current
The Global Positioning System (GPS) can be used to measure the integrated electron density along raypaths between satellites and receivers. Such measurements may, in turn, be used to construct regional and global maps of the ionospheric total electron content (TEC). Maps are generated by fitting measurements to an assumed ionospheric model.
In this paper we report on recent developments we made concerning a WADGPS ionospheric model. The new model is a simple extension of the currently used single- shell ionospheric model.
The approach outlined in this paper conservatively bounds the ionospheric errors even for the worst observed ionospheric conditions to date, using data sets taken from the operational receivers in the WAAS reference station network.
For the first time, measurements from the Global Positioning System (GPS) worldwide network are employed to study the global ionospheric total electron content(TEC) changes during a magnetic storm (November 26, 1994). These measurements are obtained from more than 60 world-wide GPS stations which continuously receive dual-frequency signals. Based on the delays of the signals, we have generated high resolution global ionospheric maps (GIM) of TEC at 15 minute intervals. Using a differential method comparing storm time maps with quiet time maps, we find that significant TEC increases (the positive effect ) are the major feature in the winter hemisphere during this storm (the maximum percent change relative to quiet times is about 150 percent).
The results of a preliminary study to access the accuracy of global ionospheric maps are presented. Global ionospheric maps, produced using dual-frequency data from the global network of GPS receivers, are.
We report a methodology for assessing the impact on WAAS posed by a sudden increase in the level of ionospheric disturbance. The methodology is based upon the forming an estimate of the probability P(D) that a WAAS user will confront a sudden increase in the level of ionospheric disturbance following a period of relative calm. By restricting the tabulation of fit residuals to only those fits where the spatial coverage of the fit points is sufficiently good, we have determined a limiting upper bound of P(D) to be 2x10(sup -6).
Mars' ionosphere has no obvious magnetic signs of large-scale, dust~produced lightning. However, there are numerous interesting ionospheric currents (some associated with crustal magnetic fields) which would allow for E&M subsurface sounding.
Simulation studies of the Earth's radiation belts and ring current are very useful in understanding the acceleration, transport, and loss of energetic particles. Recently, the Comprehensive Ring Current Model (CRCM) and the Radiation Belt Environment (RBE) model were merged to form a Comprehensive Inner Magnetosphere-Ionosphere (CIMI) model. CIMI solves for many essential quantities in the inner magnetosphere, including ion and electron distributions in the ring current and radiation belts, plasmaspheric density, Region 2 currents, convection potential, and precipitation in the ionosphere. It incorporates whistler mode chorus and hiss wave diffusion of energetic electrons in energy, pitch angle, and cross terms. CIMI thus represents a comprehensive model that considers the effects of the ring current and plasmasphere on the radiation belts. We have performed a CIMI simulation for the storm on 5-9 April 2010 and then compared our results with data from the Two Wide-angle Imaging Neutral-atom Spectrometers and Akebono satellites. We identify the dominant energization and loss processes for the ring current and radiation belts. We find that the interactions with the whistler mode chorus waves are the main cause of the flux increase of MeV electrons during the recovery phase of this particular storm. When a self-consistent electric field from the CRCM is used, the enhancement of MeV electrons is higher than when an empirical convection model is applied. We also demonstrate how CIMI can be a powerful tool for analyzing and interpreting data from the new Van Allen Probes mission.
This paper presents a study of the energetics of the dayside ionosphere of Mars using models and data from several instruments on board the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN spacecraft. In particular, calculated photoelectron fluxes are compared with suprathermal electron fluxes measured by the Solar Wind Electron Analyzer, and calculated electron temperatures are compared with temperatures measured by the Langmuir Probe and Waves experiment. The major heat source for the thermal electrons is Coulomb heating from the suprathermal electron population, and cooling due to collisional rotational and vibrational CO2 dominates the energy loss. The models used in this study were largely able to reproduce the observed high topside ionosphere electron temperatures (e.g., 3000 K at 300 km altitude) without using a topside heat flux when magnetic field topologies consistent with the measured magnetic field were adopted. Magnetic topology affects both suprathermal electron transport and thermal electron heat conduction. The effects of using two different solar irradiance models were also investigated. In particular, photoelectron fluxes and electron temperatures found using the Heliospheric Environment Solar Spectrum Radiation irradiance were higher than those with the Flare Irradiance Spectrum Model-Mars. The electron temperature is shown to affect the O2(+) dissociative recombination rate coefficient, which in turn affects photochemical escape of oxygen from Mars.
Abstract In April 2011 Saturn's midlatitude ionospheric H3(+) emissions were detected, exhibiting anomalous (nonsolar) H3(+) latitudinal variations consistent with the transport of water from specific locations in Saturn's rings, known as ''ring rain'' . These products, transported to the planet along the magnetic field, may help to explain the unusual pattern of peaks and troughs in electron densities discovered in Saturn's ionosphere by spacecraft flybys. In the present study, we analyzed H3(+) emissions recorded on 23 April 2013, showing for the first time since the original detection that Saturn's midlatitude H3(+) emissions are indeed heavily modified. Although the 2013 emissions are dimmer by almost a factor of 3.7, the latitudinal contrast is greater and uncertainties are lower. Increased H3(+) intensities were found near planetocentric latitudes of 43 deg, 51 deg, and 63 deg, previously identified with sources at the inner edge of the B ring, A ring, and the orbit of Enceladus and associated E ring.
This paper will quantify the impact of the ionosphere on the radar sounding operation and data processing and will provide potential schemes for correcting the ionospheric distortion.
Recent theoretical studies and the spacecraft conjugate observations between the Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms (THEMIS) mission and the low-altitude Enhanced Polar Outflow Probe (e-POP) spacecraft demonstrated the connections between broadband electrostatic fluctuations, the so called time domain structures (TDSs), and electron precipitation in the region of diffuse aurora. In this letter, we used the SuperThermal Electron Transport (STET) code to implement these theoretical and experimental results and analyze magnetosphere-ionosphere energy interplay of the precipitated electrons that are driven by TDSs. To put TDSs electron scattering processes in the context with other wave scattering activities, ECH and whistler chorus waves are taken into account. Integrated electron energy fluxes in the diffuse aurora driven by TDSs are comparable to those driven by whistler waves. We find that including Magnetosphere-Ionosphere coupling processes increases the integrated electron energy fluxes by more than two times than only driven by TDSs.
Ion distribution and temperature in topside ionosphere from plasma scale height profiles from Alouette electron density data
Design concepts on Ionospheric Beacon Satellite /IBS/ and inclination removal IBS for measuring ionospheric electron density
Ionospheric radio observations based on wave propagation theory, discussing sounding data analysis routine and ionospheric normal and sporadic layers