Ionospheric Research Using Satellites

Abstract

Results of measurements of electron content, of ionospheric slab thickness and of scintillations from three low latitude stations are presented. The three stations are Nairobi (Kenya), Kingston (Jamaica), and Haifa (Israel). Measurements were made at the three stations, of the Faraday polarization rotation of radio signals from the ionospheric beacon satellites S-66 and BE-C, during the period March-June 1965. The results show similar diurnal variations of electron content for the three stations, with a ratio of daytime maximum to predawn minimum of 8-10. Large variation in daytime values of electron content appear between Nairobi and Haifa, indicating large latitudinal gradients. The daytime values at Kingston and Haifa differ by about 25%. There are similar results of slab thickness and of scintillation occurrence at Haifa and Kingston, while at Nairobi the slab thickness values are lower and there is an increase in the percentage of scintillation occurrence, in comparison to the other two stations. Results of electron content for the declining phase of the solar cycle for mid-latitude stations show a marked dependence on the sunspot number. Results of electron content at Haifa for the increasing phase of the sunspot cycle show similar relationship between electron content and sunspot number.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 29, 1968
Accession Number
AD0670585

Entities

People

  • Jonathan Mass
  • Zwi. Houminer

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accuracy
  • Air Force
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Contracts
  • Diurnal Variations
  • Electron Density
  • Electrons
  • Ionosphere
  • Latitude
  • Longitude
  • Measurement
  • Observatories
  • Radio Signals
  • Solar Activity
  • Solar Cycle
  • Sunspots
  • United States

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics.
  • Space/Atmospheric Physics.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics
  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster