Seasonal-Longitudinal Variability of Equatorial Plasma Bubbles

Abstract

This study compared seasonal and longitudinal distributions of more than 8300 equatorial plasma bubbles (EPBs) observed during a full solar cycle from 1989 to 2000 with predictions of two simple models. Both models are based on considerations of parameters that influence the linear growth rate of the generalized Rayleigh-Taylor instability in the context of finite windows of opportunity available during the prereversal enhancement near sunset. These parameters are the strength of the equatorial magnetic field, B(sub eq), and the angle, alpha, it makes with the dusk terminator line. The independence of alpha and B(sub eq) from the solar cycle phase justifies the comparisons.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 23, 2004
Accession Number
ADA434546

Entities

People

  • C. Y. Huang
  • L. Bauer
  • L. C. Gentile
  • W. J. Burke

Organizations

  • Air Force Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air Force Research Laboratories
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Cycles
  • Electric Fields
  • High Latitudes
  • Instability
  • Ionosphere
  • Magnetic Fields
  • Magnetic Storms
  • Measurement
  • Meteorological Satellites
  • Orbits
  • Phase Shift
  • Rayleigh Taylor Instability
  • Solar Cycle
  • Spacecraft

Readers

  • Analytical Mechanics
  • Regression Analysis.
  • Space/Atmospheric Physics.