Experiments and Models for Prairie Smoke
Abstract
This report describes satellite transmission experiments carried out in Prairie Smoke Ib and II to investigate the horizontal extent, altitude distribution, intensity and frequency dependence of field-aligned artificial spread F (ASF) irregularities. Using these data, a quantitative morphological model is described in which the irregularities are contained within a tilted cylinder, with axis parallel to the magnetic field direction, and a radius of 50 km, centered 30 km north of the heater at an altitude of 300 km. The fractional fluctuation of electron density was found to be about 0.1 percent at full power, and the correlation distance normal to the field was about 100 m. The irregularities were found to extend through the entire F region between 200 and 400 km altitude. The depth was found to vary inversely with frequency, in accordance with theory. Also presented in this report is a model for the small- scale structure, including an analytic technique to determine the thickness of the disturbed region from the change in echo return range with elevation of a monostatic radar; semi-thicknesses of about 25 km are found.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1972
- Accession Number
- AD0525863
Entities
People
- E. E. Mendenhall
- S. A. Bowhill