Studies of the Auroral Ionosphere with the MITHRAS.

Abstract

The extensive MITHRAS radar data set was the object of extensive analyses the processes and characteristics of the auroral latitude ionosphere and thermosphere: 1) High-Latitude Electrodynamics: Ionospheric response to substorms at widely separated local times was investigated. 2) Ionospheric Plasma Transport: The effects of plasma convection on the formation of the midlatitude trough were studied utilizing the wide spatial field of view of the Millstone radar. 3) Convection Snapshots: Simultaneous data from spaced instruments were combined to produce 'snapshots' of the polar and auroral convection pattern. 4) Comparisons with Models: 5) Data Bases Studies and Empirical Models: The extensive data set which resulted from the MTIHRAS experimental program was incorporated into a multi-instrument, common format data base. 6) Azimuth Scan Experiments: Analysis of the complex data during MITHRAS azimuth scanning experiments resulted in the capability of mapping the convection electric field within the extended field of the radar. 7) Thermosphere and Exosphere: The diurnal variation of exospheric temperature over 30 degrees of latitude around Millstone Hill has been investigated using MITHRAS elevation scan data.

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 26, 1986
Accession Number
ADA176336

Entities

People

  • John C. Foster

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Convection
  • Data Sets
  • Databases
  • Diurnal Variations
  • Electric Fields
  • Electrodynamics
  • Grids
  • High Latitudes
  • Ionosphere
  • Latitude
  • Thermosphere

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Geodesy
  • Space/Atmospheric Physics.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Space Objects