Determination of Ionospheric Electron Density Profiles from Satellite UV (Ultraviolet) Emission Measurements, Fiscal Year 1984.
Abstract
The possible use of satellite ultraviolet measurements to deduce the ionospheric electron density profile (EDP) on a global basis is discussed. During 1984 comparisons were continued between the hybrid daytime ionospheric model and the experimental observations. These comparison studies indicate that: (1) the essential features of the EDP and certain UV emissions can be modelled, (2) the models are sufficiently sensitive to input parameters to yield poor agreement with observations when typical input values are used, (3) reasonable adjustments of the parameters can produce excellent agreement between theory and data for either EDP or airglow but not both; and (4) the qualitative understanding of the relationship between two input parameters (solar flux and neutral densities) and the model EDP and airglow features has been verified. The development of a hybrid dynamic model for the nighttime midlatitude ionosphere has been initiated. This model is similar to the daytime hybrid model, but uses the sunset EDP as an initial value and calculates the EDP as a function of time through the night. In addition, a semi-empirical model has been developed, based on the assumption that the nighttime EDP is always well described by a modified Chapman function. This model has great simplicity and allows the EDP to be inferred in a straightforward manner from optical observations. Comparisons with data are difficult, however, because of the low intensity of the nightglow. Keywords: Global electron density; Satellite measurements; DMSP(Detense Meteorological Satellite Program); Ionosonde data; Total electron content; Midlatitude ionosphere; Auroral E layer; Daytime airglow; Solar flux; Neutral wind.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 26, 1985
- Accession Number
- ADA160368
Entities
People
- D. J. Strickland
- D. T. Decker
- H. C. Carlson Jr.
- J. R. Jasperse
- R. E. Daniell
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory