Electrodynamics of the High Latitude Ionosphere

Abstract

A broad range of scientific investigations ranging from the development of large scale models of ionospheric convection to small scale plasma flows associated with polar cap arcs is described. It is shown that during times of northward IMF, coherent mesoscale convection features can frequently be identified at high latitudes. We now have the ability to quite accurately reproduce the convective features of the plasma at high latitudes during periods of southward IMF. Advance in our understanding of electric field coupling in plasma structures and the differences in local and height integrated Joule heating rates are also described. The importance of the bottomside F-region concentration in determining the effectiveness of electrical coupling is emphasized. Keywords: Aurora; Ionosphere; Electric fields.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 01, 1988
Accession Number
ADA206819

Entities

People

  • Roderick A. Heelis

Organizations

  • University of Texas at Dallas

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Classification
  • Convection
  • Couplings
  • Data Sets
  • Electric Fields
  • Electrodynamics
  • High Latitudes
  • Ionosphere
  • Latitude
  • Magnetic Fields
  • Meteorological Satellites
  • Polar Cap
  • Scale Models
  • Software Development
  • Space Sciences

Readers

  • Space/Atmospheric Physics.