Ionospheric F{sub 2} layer seasonal and semiannual variations

Journal Article · Fri Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1996 · Journal of Geophysical Research

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/95JA03343· OSTI ID:255041

Millward, G H; Fuller-Rowell, T J ^[1]; Quegan, S; Moffett, R J ^[2]

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1. Univ. of Colorado, Boulder, CO (United States)
2. Univ. of Sheffield, Sheffield (United Kingdom); and others

The authors have carried out an extensive series of computations using the Coupled Thermosphere-Ionosphere-Plasmasphere model (CTIP), and from this work are able to simulate features of the semiannual variations in the noontime electron density peaking observed in the southern hemisphere at mid latatiudes. When they look at the model in detail they find that the large offset of the geomagnetic axis from the earth`s rotational axis in the southern hemisphere is a major factor in this effect. This offset places South America at close to the geomagnetic equator, and in particular, far from the auroral regions which can provide energy inputs.

• OSTI ID: 255041
• Journal Information: Journal of Geophysical Research, Vol. 101, Issue A3; Other Information: PBD: 1 Mar 1996
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

66 PHYSICS
F2 LAYER
ELECTRON DENSITY
SEASONAL VARIATIONS
ANNUAL VARIATIONS
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
GEOMAGNETIC EQUATOR