Modelling of total electron content measured by the ATS-6 radio beacon experiment. Technical memo
The following conclusions can be reached through the model study: A physically realistic model, when used in conjunction with foF2 and Faraday content observations can be used to infer information on neutral winds and electron density profiles. The resulting profiles are in reasonable agreement in summer and equinox with those from a semi-empirical model. The agreement is not good in winter, be cause the assumptions in the semi-empirical night model are unreliable. Nevertheless, the input quantities to the semi-empirical model, when calculated from the results, are more consistent; Neutral winds can sustain the ionization at F-layer peak altitudes in summer, but they cannot account for the Faraday content at night in equinox and winter; and Discrepancies between calculated and observed electron content values can be reduced by a downward proton flux. A small proton flux suffices to explain the discrepancies.
- Research Organization:
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Boulder, CO (USA). Space Environment Lab.
- OSTI ID:
- 6557988
- Report Number(s):
- PB-82-246976
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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