PLUMEX I: Coincident Radar and Rocket Observations of Equatorial Spread-F.
Abstract
Coordinated measurements of equatorial spread-F conducted during July 1979 at the Kwajalein Atoll have yielded the first definitive space and time coincident radar and rocket observations of small scale irregularities and large scale plasma depletions. The results have shown that: (a) Within a large-scale topside F-layer depletion radar backscatter energy is at a level much lower than that observed on the depletion's topside. The same is true of 'in situ' irregularity observations, and (b) Ion composition within a topside depletion can provide signatures of its bottomside source domain and estimates of average maximum vertical drift velocity. For long-lived depletions, molecularion signatures (NO(+) and O2(+)) can be lost while bottomside levels of N(+) can be maintained when O(+) approximately equals N sub e much greater than NO(+) + O2(+), and finally, (c) Large scale fluctuations of O(+) accompanied by a near-constant level of NO(+) and O2(+) on the bottomside F-layer gradient suggests that neutral atmospheric turbulence is not a major source for bottomside ionospheric plasma irregularities.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 17, 1980
- Accession Number
- ADA085472
Entities
People
- Edward P. Szuszczewicz
- J. C. Holmes
- R. Narcisi
- R. T. Tsunoda
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory