The STP/S3-4 Satellite Experiment: Equatorial F-region Irregularities.

Abstract

The S3-4 'in situ' satellite observations near the nighttime equator (2230 LT) have shown irregularity structures with depletions in plasma density up to 3 orders of magnitude and ranges in horizontal extent from less than 1 km to tens of kms. The holes have sharper gradients on the eastern boundary than across the western counterpart, and the power spectral indices in the irregularities lie between 1.9-2.5 in the intermediate wavelength domain. The east-west assymmetry of the depletions is also shown in the irregularity intensity and spectral strengths. The variations in density are more intense on the western wall of the holes suggesting a scintillation enhancement on the western boundary. In addition, the results of power spectral analyses support the role of the Rayleigh-Taylor instability in the generation of intermediate scale size irregularities during the occurrence of equatorial spread-F. (Author)

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 14, 1981
Accession Number
ADA101425

Entities

People

  • Edward P. Szuszczewicz
  • J. C. Holmes
  • Manish Singh

Organizations

  • United States Naval Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Artificial Satellites
  • Asymmetry
  • Atmospheric Motion
  • Boundaries
  • Electron Density
  • Electrons
  • Frequency
  • High Resolution
  • Instability
  • Intensity
  • Ionosphere
  • Ions
  • Measurement
  • Military Research
  • Observation
  • Orbits
  • Rayleigh Taylor Instability

Readers

  • Atmospheric Science / Meteorology, specifically Wind Wave Turbulence.
  • Space/Atmospheric Physics.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster