Studies of Global Ionospheric Electrodynamics
Abstract
The distribution of ionospheric plasma in the F layer is intimately related to the electrodynamics of the region. In order to understand many of the morphological features of the plasma, it is necessary to study both the composition and the motion of the plasma both parallel and perpendicular to the magnetic field. At low and middle latitudes we examine various contributions to the electric field, producing plasma motions perpendicular to the magnetic field, and assess their relative importance as functions of latitude and magnetic activity. Understanding the distribution of ion species in the topside equatorial ionosphere also requires consideration of these ion drifts. At higher latitudes, where electric field sources from the inner and outer magnetosphere must be considered, the perpendicular ion drifts can be very large and result in frictional heating of the plasma. This heating produces large scale motion along the magnetic field line that is an inherent part of the plasma circulation in the region. Finally, studies here show that small scale structures in the plasma concentration and electric field at high latitudes are also important in assessing the energy budget and often dominates the electrodynamics of the region.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA265033
Entities
People
- Roderick A. Heelis
Organizations
- University of Texas at Dallas