Computer Science – Sound
Scientific paper
Feb 2012
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2012jgra..11702301b&link_type=abstract
Journal of Geophysical Research, Volume 117, Issue A2, CiteID A02301
Computer Science
Sound
Ionosphere: Ionosphere/Atmosphere Interactions (0335), Ionosphere: Plasma Convection (2760), Ionosphere: Instruments And Techniques, Atmospheric Processes: Thermospheric Dynamics (0358)
Scientific paper
We present in situ and ground-based measurements of the ratio κ of ion cyclotron angular frequency to ion-neutral momentum transfer collision frequency to investigate ionosphere-thermosphere (IT) coupling in the auroral E region. In situ observations were obtained by NASA sounding rocket 36.234, which was launched into the nightside E region ionosphere at 1229 UT on 19 January 2007 from Poker Flat, AK. The payload carried instrumentation to determine ion drift angle and electric field vectors. Neutral winds were measured by triangulating a chemical tracer released from rocket 41.064 launched two minutes later. κ is calculated from the rotation of the ion drift angle relative to the E-cross-B drift direction in a frame co-rotating with the payload. Between the altitudes of 118 km and 130 km κ increases exponentially with a scale height of 9.3 ± 0.7 km, deviating from an exponential above 130 km. κ = 1 at an altitude z0 of 119.9 ± 0.5 km. The ratio was also estimated from Poker Flat Incoherent Scatter Radar (PFISR) measurements using the rotation of ion velocity with altitude. Exponential fits to the PFISR measurements made during the flight of 41.064 yield z0 = 115.9 ± 1.2 km and a scale height of 9.1 ± 1.0 km. Differences between in situ and ground-based measurements show that the E region atmospheric densities were structured vertically and/or horizontally on scales of 1 km to 10 km. There were no signs of ionospheric structure in ion density or ion temperature below scales of 1 km. The observations demonstrate the accuracy with which the in situ and PFISR data may be used as probes of IT coupling.
Burchill J. K.
Clemmons James Hart
Knudsen David J.
Larsen Mark
Nicolls Michael J.
No associations
LandOfFree
High-latitude E region ionosphere-thermosphere coupling: A comparative study using in situ and incoherent scatter radar observations 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 High-latitude E region ionosphere-thermosphere coupling: A comparative study using in situ and incoherent scatter radar observations, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and High-latitude E region ionosphere-thermosphere coupling: A comparative study using in situ and incoherent scatter radar observations will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1839434