A Study of the D-Region Ionosphere during the Intense Solar Particle Events of August 1972.

Abstract

During the intense solar particle events of 3-11 August 1972 twenty-eight cases of simultaneous data were obtained between the polar orbiting satellite 1971-089A and the incoherent-scatter radar at Chatanika, Alaska. These data were analyzed to derive effective electron loss rates in the D-region ionosphere as a function of altitude, solar zenith angle and the magnitude of the production rate. Production rate profiles extending from 300 to 30,000 ion-pairs/cc sec were calculated for the 40-90 km region. Electron density profiles extending from 5000 to 100,000 el/cc were measured in the D-region at Chatanika, with useful data being obtained down to altitudes as low as 50 km. Values of electron loss rate were obtained for daytime and sumrise/sunset twilight conditions over a range of solar zenith angles from 50.4 degrees to 98.6 degrees.

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 01, 1975
Accession Number
ADA012499

Entities

People

  • J. B. Reagan

Organizations

  • Lockheed Martin Missiles and Space

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Altitude
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Charged Particles
  • Electron Density
  • Electrons
  • Elementary Fermions
  • Elementary Particles
  • Fermions
  • Ionosphere
  • Leptons
  • Particles
  • Production
  • Production Rate
  • Subatomic Particles
  • Twilight

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Mathematics or Statistics
  • Space/Atmospheric Physics.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics
  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster