Studies of Ionospheric Plasma Electrodynamics
Abstract
During this research period we have pursued research in different areas related to a better specification of the ionosphere. At high latitudes we have improved and expanded our model of the ionospheric convection pattern to include a plasma packet tracing algorithm. For specified IMF inputs this algorithm allows the user to specify a high latitude location as input and then computes the location to which a plasma packet at that location would move in some specified time. Such algorithms are now used in ionospheric specification codes to examine the formation of large scale plasma structures. At middle latitudes, the appearance of ionization layers in the bottomside F-region has long been a subject of study. Such layers may have global electrodynamic consequences but equally important are questions concerning their composition. We will report on initial calculations to suggest that such layers may be formed entirely from local molecular species. Finally, in the low and mid-latitude topside ionosphere we have started an extensive study of the ionospheric density and composition. Such a study is made possible by a new capability of the DMSP instrumentation and is relevant to the interpretation of TEC measurements.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1994
- Accession Number
- ADA385130
Entities
People
- Roderick A. Heelis
Organizations
- University of Texas at Dallas