HYDROGEN ATOMS AND IONS IN THE THERMOSPHERE AND EXOSPHERE
Abstract
The distribution of atomic hydrogen in the thermosphere and exosphere is computed taking into account the upward flow which balances the escape flux. Because of the upward flow the numberdensity gradient is much steeper than it would be in a static atmosphere. Attention is drawn to the fact that the ratio of the amount of hydrogen above the 100 or 110 km levels to the amount of hydrogen above the 200 or 300 km levels is a sensitive measure of the temperature of the exosphere. The evidence on the absolute abundance of atomic hydrogen is examined. It is concluded that the number density at the 120 km level is probably about 5 x 100,000/cc. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1961
- Accession Number
- AD0271750
Entities
People
- D.r. Bates
- T.n.l. Patterson
Organizations
- Queen Mary University of London