A Note on the High-Latitude Density Bulge Inferred from Low-Altitude Satellite Drag Data.
Abstract
Drag data from the satellite OV1-15 are compared with the newest density model by Jacchi (1971a) at altitudes below 200 km. Residuals between the observed and model density indicate the presence of a high-latitude density bulge, thereby confirming the results of a previous study which was based on an older Jacchia model (1970). Recent composition measurements in the polar regions have indicated that the N2 density is enhanced in a localized region, but not O. This anomaly persists even under geomagnetically quiet conditions. These results provide an explanation of why a polar-region density bulge has been observed consistently only at low altitudes (<200 km) where N2 is the major constituent, but not at higher altitudes where O predominates. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 31, 1971
- Accession Number
- AD0735664
Entities
People
- Barbara K. Ching
Organizations
- The Aerospace Corporation