ATMOSPHERIC DENSITY ABOVE 158 km INFERRED FROM MAGNETRON AND DRAG DATA FROM THE SATELLITE OV1-15 (1968-059A)
Abstract
A cold-cathode magnetron pressure gauge and a C-band radar beacon were part of the complement of experiments aboard the polar-orbiting atmospheric research satellite OV1-15 (1968-059A). Over the period 13-15 July 1968, when the perigee of the satellite was near the equator at about local noon, the atmospheric density profiles were repeatedly measured down to 158 km. The profiles agreed in the northern and southern hemispheres below 200 km, but above 200 km the northern profile was greater than the southern, in approximate agreement with the Jacchia model that includes a symmetric density bulge at the subsolar latitude at 1400 hr local time. During a moderate magnetic disturbance, the atmospheric density at latitudes below about 40 degrees increased with an amplitude and lag that are adequately described by the Jacchia model, except that the duration of the density enhancement was several hours longer than the duration of the geomagnetic disturbance.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 15, 1969
- Accession Number
- AD0697030
Entities
People
- Barbara K. Ching
- David D. Elliott
- Virginia L. Carter
Organizations
- The Aerospace Corporation