Studies of Ionosphere/Magnetosphere Dynamics Using SABRE and HILAT.
Abstract
Plasma drift measured by SABRE in the E-region have been compared with those obtained from HILAT, at an altitude of 800 km. Results are not consistent with perfect mapping of the electric field between the two regions. Furthermore, no field-aligned current signature is observed by SABRE. A comparison of E-region plasma drifts measured by SABRE and F-region scintillations measured by the NNSS satellites suggests that the latter may be related to regions of reduced electric field in the F-region. This is consistent with the presence of field-aligned currents which produce kilometer-scale structure in the F-region plasma. Mean plasma convection patterns in the E-region have been derived as a function of the IMF components By and Bz and the magnetic index Kp. Convection flows are much stronger for southward Bz. The time of the evening convection reversal occurs at later local times for increasingly negative By. As Kp increases radar measurements occur during a higher proportion of the day and the evening convection reversal also moves to earlier local times. Keywords: Auroral backscatter; Irregularities; Convection; Aspect angle attenuation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 20, 1987
- Accession Number
- ADA190947
Entities
People
- Jeffrey A. Waldock
- Tudor B. Jones
Organizations
- University of Leicester