Electrical Structure of the D- and E-Region.
Abstract
Based on the stratopause tidal circulation model of dynamo current motivation through low-latitude vertical charge separation and the Hall effect, a sectional model illustrating the low-latitude global D- and E-region electrical structure is presented. Model conductivity structures are derived from mean electron density and collision frequency profiles and are applied to delineate atmospheric sources and sinks of electromotive energy and the resulting electric current and potential fields. These models indicate that the lower ionosphere rather than being electrically neutral is the site of important electrical structure which must be joined with the observed lower atmosphere and exospheric structures to obtain the complete global electrical structure. The lower ionospheric dynamo current is by far the largest atmospheric current and, therefore, dominates the global electrical structure, with tropospheric and exospheric electrical phenomena resulting principally from relaxation currents below and above the lower ionospheric region. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1970
- Accession Number
- AD0714365
Entities
People
- Willis L. Webb
Organizations
- Atmospheric Sciences Laboratory