THE EVOLUTION OF AN IONOSPHERIC HOLE.
Abstract
The release of 10 to the 26th power molecules of sulfur hexafluoride at 220-km altitude generated an ionospheric hole which lasted about 30 minutes. Rate equations are set up and solved to explore the time and space variation of electron densities within the region. It is shown that due to the geomagnetic-field-constrained diffusion of electrons, the estimated lifetime of the hole is much longer than if unhindered radial diffusion could take place, and that the estimated lifetime is commensurate with the observed lifetime. A more quantitative comparison between the theoretical model and the observational data is possible only if the rate constants and the radio frequency sounder characteristics are specified more closely than is currently possible. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1965
- Accession Number
- AD0615969
Entities
People
- Dan Golomb
- Malcolm A. Macleod
Organizations
- Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories