Global Distribution of Thermosperic Heat Sources: EUV Sbsorption and Joule Dissipation,
Abstract
The global distribution and temporal variations of thermospheric heating due to Joule dissipation of measured ionospheric electric fields are computed. It is shown that the volume Joule dissipation rate is similar in magnitude and altitudinal profile to the global solar EUV absorption rate discussed in the previous papers. Thus, Joule dissipation contributes significantly towards reconciling the quantitatively known sources of thermospheric heat input and that required to maintain the normal thermosphere. The combined heat source due to EUV absorption and Joule dissipation varies with the annual cycle in a manner closely resembling that of the thermospheric density. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1973
- Accession Number
- AD0758758
Entities
People
- Barbara K. Ching
- Yam T. Chiu
Organizations
- The Aerospace Corporation