Atomic nitrogen and oxygen ions in the daytime high-latitude F region

Journal Article · Sat Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1980 · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JA085iA03p01255· OSTI ID:5429516

Schunk, R W; Raitt, W J

We have extended our high-latitude, ionospheric, dynamic model to include N/sup +/ in addition to the ions NO/sup +/, O/sub 2//sup +/, N/sup +//sub 2/, and O/sup +/. The ion He was also included but altitude profiles of this ion were obtained from our previous polar wind study. We have further improved our model by updating the various chemical reaction rates and by including the latest solar EUV fluxes measured by the Atmosphere Explorer satellites, the most recent MSIS model of the neutral atmosphere (N/sub 2/, O/sub 2/, O, and He) and the latest empirical model of atomic nitrogen. The improved model was used to study th solar cycle, seasonal, and geomagnetic activity variations of the daytime high-latitude F layer. Both zonal and meridional convection electric fields were considered. Without allowance for electric fields, th peak O/sup +/ and N/sup +/ densities varied by an order of magnitude and the altitudes of the peaks varied by about 100 km over the range of geophysical conditions studied. Convection electric fields can also produce about an order of magnitude change in the O/sup +/ and N/sup +/ densities. These electric field induced changes could either assist or oppose th solar cycle, seasonal, and geomagnetic activity variations depending on the ionospheric conditions. In general, N/sup +/ was the second most abundant ion in the upper F region, but there were cases when He/sup +/ was more abundant than N/sup +/ even though He/sup +/ was in a state of outflow. Also, we speculate that at time, N/sup +/ can be the dominant ion in the upper F region.

• Research Organization: Center for Atmospheric and Space Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, Utah 84322
• OSTI ID: 5429516
• Journal Information: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States) Vol. 85:A3; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640201* -- Atmospheric Physics-- Auroral
Ionospheric
& Magetospheric Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
CHARGED PARTICLES
CHEMICAL REACTION KINETICS
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ELECTRIC FIELDS
F REGION
ION DRIFT
IONIC COMPOSITION
IONOSPHERE
IONS
KINETICS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
NITROGEN IONS
OXYGEN IONS
PLANETARY IONOSPHERES
REACTION KINETICS
SEASONAL VARIATIONS
SOLAR CYCLE
VARIATIONS