THE DISTRIBUTION OF IONS AND ELECTRONS IN THE EARTH'S EXOSPHERE
Abstract
The factors which govern the distribution of electrons and ions in the earth's exosphere are discussed. The theory takes into account the effect of the electric field which arises from charge separation, the centrifugal force arising from the rotation of the earth and the effect of the earth's gravitational field. It is assumed that the charged particles are constrained to move only along the direction of the earth's magnetic lines of force. The modifications that result in the electron and ion distributions when a temperature variation is assumed along a line of force are also considered. The results predicted by the theory are compared with actual experimental observations of the exospheric plasma which have been obtained in recent years using whistlers and using topside ionograms made by the Alouette satellite.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1963
- Accession Number
- AD0604040
Entities
People
- J. J. Angerami
- J. O. Thomas
Organizations
- Stanford University