DETERMINATION OF HYDROGEN ION CONCENTRATION, ELECTRON DENSITY AND PROTON GYROFREQUENCY FROM THE DISPERSION OF PROTON WHISTLERS,

Abstract

A method is discussed for determining H ion concentration, electron number density, and proton gyrofrequency in the vicinity of the satellite by measurements of the asymptotic frequency-time profile of a proton whistler near the proton gyrofrequency. This new technique is applied to proton whistlers received by the Injun 3 VLF receiver. The calculated values of H ion concentration and electron density are shown to be in good agreement with measurements by other experimenters at similar altitudes, latitudes, and local times. B values calculated from the proton gyrofrequency are compared with values calculated from the Jensen and Cain expansion for the geomagnetic field. It is shown that the wave energy of a proton whistler is guided very nearly along the geomagnetic field and that the parallel component of the group velocity is closely approximated by the group velocity for longitudinal propagation. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 1965
Accession Number
AD0471499

Entities

People

  • Donald A. Gurnett
  • Stanley D. Shawhan

Organizations

  • University of Iowa

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Electron Density
  • Electrons
  • Group Velocity
  • Ions
  • Measurement
  • Ph Factor
  • Protons
  • Wave Power
  • Whistlers

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics.
  • Materials Science and Engineering.
  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics
  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster