The effect of auroral energy input on neutral and ion drifts in the thermosphere

Physics

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

1

Auroral Zones, Diurnal Variations, Ion Motion, Thermosphere, Wind Effects, Barium Ion Clouds, Convective Flow, Coriolis Effect, Ionosondes, Magnetometers, Resistance Heating, Wind Velocity Measurement

Scientific paper

Twilight measurements of thermospheric winds on the basis of barium releases have demonstrated drifts in a consistent westward sense; this is at variance with global pressure modes and is associated with the proximity of auroral zone sources. The present paper develops a simple model of the auroral zone, with parameters chosen to reproduce gross magnetometer and ionosonde observations on particular days. A theoretical description of thermosphere dynamics is examined, giving rise to comparable wind velocities for each of five barium releases. Assuming a local origin for electric fields derived from neutral velocity differences between altitudes, the low ion-neutral separation drifts, also observed in the twilight experiments, are reproduced. The neutral winds are consistent with a Joule heating mechanism, coupled to convective ion drag and Coriolis effects, for spreading auroral influences to lower latitudes.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

The effect of auroral energy input on neutral and ion drifts in the thermosphere does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with The effect of auroral energy input on neutral and ion drifts in the thermosphere, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The effect of auroral energy input on neutral and ion drifts in the thermosphere will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1297660

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.