X-Ray Spectrophotometric Remote Sensing of Diffuse Auroral Ionization
Abstract
Auroral electron precipitation produces both E-region ionization and bremsstrahlung x rays. In a set of coordinated observations these atmospheric effects of electron precipitation were measured simultaneously by the x-ray sensor on the DMSP/F2 spacecraft and by the incoherent-scatter radar at Chatanika, Alaska. In all data sets there was good agreement between the locations of the x-ray source regions and the regions of enhanced E-region ionization. Detailed comparisons were made between the measured and derived altitude profiles of ionization for two auroral conditions, a pre-midnight auroral band and a sunlit diffuse aurora. These comparisons validate the ability to derive auroral ionization from satellite-based x-ray measurements. Keywords: Aurora, Bremsstrahlung x rays, Ionosphere, Remote sensing.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 20, 1989
- Accession Number
- ADA206227
Entities
People
- D. J. Gorney
- P. F. Mizera
- R. M. Robinson
- R. R. Vondrak
Organizations
- The Aerospace Corporation