Modeling the F-Region of the High Latitude Ionosphere.

Abstract

The report summarizes work performed in modelling the characteristics of the high/mid latitude ionosphere in two areas; light ion distribution in the plasmasphere under diffusive equilibrium conditions and plasma distribution in the F-region and topside ionosphere in the Southern Hemisphere as a result of the magnetospheric induced convection. In addition there was an attempted experiment on high latitude ionospheric modification. The light ion study showed larger solar cycle and diurnal variations in the plasmaspheric light ion content than observed by whistler measurements. The plasma convection studied predicted more dramatic effects in the gross features of the Southern hemisphere polar region compared to the Northern Hemisphere; this is attributed to the greater offset between the geographic and geomagnetic poles in the Southern Hemisphere. One of the major hemispheric differences observed was the appearance of a dayside trough at certain local lines in the Southern Hemisphere winter. The detection of this feature by ionospheric measurements of 800 km by the DMSP-F4 satellite confirmed the model prediction.

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 07, 1986
Accession Number
ADA178383

Entities

People

  • W. J. Raitt

Organizations

  • Utah State University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Convection
  • Diurnal Variations
  • Grids
  • Hemispheres
  • High Latitudes
  • Ionosphere
  • Latitude
  • Measurement
  • Northern Hemisphere
  • Polar Regions
  • Regions
  • Solar Cycle
  • Southern Hemisphere

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Space/Atmospheric Physics.

Technology Areas

  • Space