Studies of Ionospheric Plasma Electrodynamics

Abstract

We have studied features of the high latitude ionosphere that help us to understand the response of the ionosphere-magnetosphere system to changes in the interplanetary medium. These changes begin principally with changes in the large scale ionospheric convection pattern. however, these changes subsequently change the distribution of ionization, which in turn changes the neutral atmosphere and the neutral and plasma temperatures. At high latitudes we have studied the electrodynamics on the dayside where direct connection of the solar wind is made with the Earth's magnetic field during times of southward IMF. We have also investigated the dynamics of the nightside where the response of the magnetospheric tail to substorms is probably most important. In addition to our high latitude work we have continued an investigation of equatorial irregularities with emphasis on the dynamics of the plasma within them.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 01, 1997
Accession Number
ADA384463

Entities

People

  • Roderick A. Heelis

Organizations

  • University of Texas at Dallas

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Air Force Research Laboratories
  • Atmospheres
  • Convection
  • Dynamics
  • Electric Fields
  • Electrodynamics
  • High Latitudes
  • Ionosphere
  • Latitude
  • Magnetic Fields
  • Magnetosphere
  • Meteorological Satellites
  • Polar Cap
  • Solar Wind
  • Space Sciences
  • Spacecraft

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Space/Atmospheric Physics.