IONIZATION ABOVE THE F2-PEAK AS AFFECTED BY THE INTERPLANETARY GAS
Abstract
The atmospheres of the earth, the sun and other bodies are surrounded by gas that is nearly uniform in number density n and kinetic temperature T, over spaces much greater than those occupied by the atmospheres. This gas may be called the ambium of the atmosphere. In total it is much more massive than the atmosphere it encloses. The conditions in the ambium must powerfully AFFECT THE STATE OF THE OUTER ATMOSPHERE. In particular, there must be a continuous transition of the values of n and T between the ambium and the atmosphere. In the case of the earth, the sun and other hot stars, both the ambium and the outermost part of the atmosphere will consist of atomic hydrogen. The temperature of the ambium will determine whether this hydrogen and that of the outermost atmosphere are mainly ionized or neutral. Evidence is presented favoring the view that the earth's ambium consists of ionized solar atmospheric hydrogen. Thus, the outermost part of the earth's atmosphere is likewise hot and ionized. It must enclose an extensive layer of mainly neutral atomic hydrogen. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 04, 1961
- Accession Number
- AD0255068
Entities
People
- Sydney Chapman
Organizations
- High Altitude Observatory