In situ observations of bifurcation of equatorial ionospheric plasma depletions
- NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD (United States)
- Mission Research Corporation, Nashua, NH (United States)
Vector electric field measurements from the San Marco D satellite are utilized to investigate the bifurcation of ionospheric plasma depletions (sometimes called {open_quotes}bubbles{close_quotes}) associated with nightside equatorial spread F. These depletions are identified by enhanced upward ExB convection in depleted plasma density channels in the nighttime equatorial ionosphere. The in situ determination of the bifurcation process is based on dc electric field measurements of the bipolar variation in the zonal flow, westward and eastward, as the eastbound satellite crosses isolated signatures of updrafting plasma depletion regions. The authors also present data in which more complicated regions of zonal velocity variations appear as the possible result of multiple bifurcations of updrafting equatorial plasma bubbles. 10 refs., 7 fig.
- OSTI ID:
- 255040
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Geophysical Research, Journal Name: Journal of Geophysical Research Journal Issue: A3 Vol. 101; ISSN JGREA2; ISSN 0148-0227
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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