Studies of Ionospheric Plasma Electrodynamics
Abstract
The research effort reported here has been focused on describing the morphology of plasma structures at low and high latitudes and seeking an understanding of the geophysical conditions that prevail during their occurrence and evolution. Plasma structures, and irregularities in their associated electric and magnetic fields, have significant effects on the propagation properties of radio waves through the medium and on the dissipation of energy and momentum in the medium. By considering in detail the properties of plasma structures at low and high latitudes we will take steps toward accurate specification and prediction of the state of the medium and also contribute to exposing the important physics that couples the ionosphere with the atmosphere below and the magnetosphere above. Plasma irregularities are a ubiquitous feature of the low-latitude nighttime ionosphere. These structures appear at the largest horizontal scales as gravity wave perturbations that may be 1000 km in extent. These perturbations provide the seat for instability mechanisms that may generate smaller scale irregularities that occupy spatial scales down to a few meters. These structures give rise to the well known spread-F phenomenon. Our work in this area has included the further study of various features of so-called spread-F bubble phenomena. Also included in our studies is the beginning of work in ionosphere-magnetosphere coupling that is mediated by waves and currents in the ionosphere.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA385062
Entities
People
- Roderick A. Heelis
Organizations
- University of Texas at Dallas