Electrodynamics of the High Latitude Ionosphere
Abstract
Both large and small scale structure in the plasma density and velocity are important phenomena to be understood in the ionosphere. The ability to characterize the high-latitude plasma motion over large spatial scales is demonstrated here with the development of a model that can be driven by data inputs. The model can also be used to study the mechanisms producing large scale structures in the plasma. The applicability of the model is demonstrated for periods when the interplanetary magnetic field has a southward component. During periods of northward IMF the electrodynamics of the ionosphere on spatial scales of 100 km must be understood. Here the combination of ground based and space based data are invaluable tools. We show that mesoscale features may be coherent over many hours and constitute an important signature of the interaction of the Earth's magnetic field with the interplanetary medium. (jhd)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA223229
Entities
People
- Roderick A. Heelis
Organizations
- University of Texas at Dallas