Mid-latitude E region: An examination of the existence of a corpuscular source
We present new data from two rocket flights and examine the published evidence for the existence of a corpuscular source of ionization at E region heights. The rockets were launched from White Sands Missile Range (magnetic latitude of approx.43degree) to provide measurements of energetic electrons and protons between 40 eV and 5.5 keV in the E region below 120 km. A daytime flight (solar zenith angle chi of 58degree) launched during a geomagnetically disturbed period (Kp=5=) provided measurements of a small flux of electrons which exhibits a strong altitude dependence below 500 eV but essentially none above that energy. The observed electron energy flux at 116 km is approx.1.8 x 10/sup 3/ erg/cm/sup 2/ s. We interpret these to be photoelectrons. During the nighttime flight we observed an energy flux which was less than 10/sup 5/ erg/cm/sup 2/ s. Upper limits for proton fluxes are given. The electron flux values contrast sharply with much higher values reported by some other investigators. The implications of and some possible reasons for the differences are discussed. After reviewing our data and the relevant literature we conclude that (1) data obtained from one location must be carefully interpreted with regard to implications about the general ionosphere, since a real geographic variability exists: (2) since we observe no significant fluxes of energetic particles in a geomagnetically disturbed ionosphere, even in the presence of fluctuating nighttime E region ionization, the presence of such fluctuations cannot be taken as evidence of precipitating particles: and (3) many reports of corpuscular radiation contain high flux values which are not supported by observations of 391.4-nm radiation from N/sub 2/. (AIP)
- Research Organization:
- Space Physics Laboratory, Aerospace Corporation, El Segundo, California 90245
- OSTI ID:
- 7344805
- Journal Information:
- J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Vol. 81:16
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
GENERAL PHYSICS
E REGION
CHARGED-PARTICLE PRECIPITATION
ELECTRONS
ENERGY TRANSFER
MAGNETIC STORMS
PROTONS
BARYONS
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
FERMIONS
HADRONS
IONOSPHERE
LEPTONS
NUCLEONS
640201* - Atmospheric Physics- Auroral
Ionospheric
& Magetospheric Phenomena