Equatorial fountain effect and dynamo drift signatures from AE-E observations

Journal Article · Sat Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 1990 · Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JA095iA12p21285· OSTI ID:5376747

Coley, W R; McClure, J P; Hanson, W B ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Texas, Richardson (USA)

Vertical and horizontal ion drift velocities for 1977-1979 from the Unified Abstract files of the satellite Atmosphere Explorer E were used in preliminary studies of the behavior of the low-latitude ({minus}20{degree} to 20{degree} dip latitude) F region. Sample diurnal variations obtained during 1978-1979 equinox time periods are very similar to those measured by the incoherent scatter radar at Jicamarca, Peru. Latitude profiles of the vector drift values clearly show the classic fountain effect responsible for the Appleton anomaly during the day. Investigation of longitude effects revealed that the average perpendicular (approximately vertical) drift velocity V{sub perp} is independent of longitude, implying that the average east-west electric field is proportional to B and thus is likely derived from classical dynamo winds.

• OSTI ID: 5376747
• Journal Information: Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States), Vol. 95:A12; ISSN 0148-0227
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
IONOSPHERE
PLASMA DRIFT
DAILY VARIATIONS
ELECTRIC FIELDS
EXPLORER SATELLITES
F REGION
ION DRIFT
LATITUDE EFFECT
RADAR
VELOCITY
WIND
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
GEOGRAPHICAL VARIATIONS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
PLANETARY IONOSPHERES
RANGE FINDERS
SATELLITES
VARIATIONS
640201* - Atmospheric Physics- Auroral
Ionospheric
& Magetospheric Phenomena