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High spatial and temporal resolution observations of the ionospheric cusp

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:377396
The Halley PACE HF radar has been operated in a new mode to provide very high time (10 s) and space (15 km) resolution measurements of the ionospheric signatures of the cusp and the low latitude boundary layer. The first data show that the ionospheric signature of flux transfer events occur up to 300 km equatorward of regions showing the HF characteristics of the ionospheric cusp. While larger flux transfer events are seen, on average, every 7 minutes, many much smaller and short duration events have been identified. There is strong, but not conclusive evidence, that reconnection at the magnetopause is both intermittent and patchy. These data also suggest that flux transfer events can be a significant contributor to the cross polar cap potential.
Research Organization:
Phillips Lab., Hanscom AFB, MA (United States)
OSTI ID:
377396
Report Number(s):
AD-A--309847/2/XAB; PL-TR--96-2109
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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