Latitudinal Variations of Auroral-Zone Ionization Distribution.

Abstract

This study on ionization in the auroral zone involved data reduction and analysis to determine (1) the electrodynamics of the auroral E layer and (2) the origin and evolution of high-latitude F-region plasma-density structure. Data obtained by the Chatanika incoherent-scatter radar as well as by rockets and satellites were used in the study. The results are especially useful in characterizing the morphology of E-region conductivity enhancements, and the production, transport, and decay of F-region plasma throughout the auroral zone. The relationship between currents (both perpendicular and field-aligned) and electric fields has also been studied. In addition to these experimental investigations, SRI has contributed new theoretical concepts in the areas of cross-field plasma diffusion and global plasma-density irregularity morphology.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 01, 1983
Accession Number
ADA128612

Entities

People

  • James F. Vickrey
  • Robert M. Robinson
  • Roland T. Tsunoda

Organizations

  • SRI International

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Sensors
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Artificial Satellites
  • Convection
  • Detectors
  • Diffraction
  • Electron Density
  • Electron Flux
  • Electrons
  • High Latitudes
  • Low Altitude
  • Magnetic Fields
  • Measurement
  • Particle Flux
  • Physics Laboratories
  • Polar Regions
  • Radio Waves
  • Scattering
  • Voltage

Readers

  • Space/Atmospheric Physics.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster