Multi-instrument studies of the auroral ionosphere. Final report, 1 November 1985-31 October 1988

Technical Report · Fri Mar 24 04:00:00 EST 1989

OSTI ID:5762917

Foster, J C

New data-collection modes and analysis techniques were developed that provide good time and spatial coverage and empirical models of the high latitude ionosphere. (1) The first three-radar azimuth scanning experiment was performed combining observations from Millstone Hill, Sondrestrom, and EISCAT to produce maps of the convection electric field at high latitudes at 30-minute intervals throughout an interval of increasing disturbance. (2) Empirical models of the ionospheric-convection electric field were developed from an extensive radar data base. (3) Quantitative models were developed describing the distribution of the field-aligned currents that link the ionosphere and magnetosphere at high latitudes. (4) A test of the local midnight-sector differences in the ionospheric convection models based on incoherent scatter radar data and those based on satellite observations was completed. (5) A new class of intense radar backscatter from the topside F region was identified as produced by parallel current-induced enhancement of the acoustic line. (6) The general characteristics of coherent radar backscatter from E-region irregularities as observed with the Millstone Hill UHF radar was the subject of an intensive study.

• Research Organization: Haystack Observatory, Westford, MA (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5762917
• Report Number(s): AD-A-206733/8/XAB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640201* -- Atmospheric Physics-- Auroral
Ionospheric
& Magetospheric Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ALIGNMENT
AURORAE
BACKSCATTERING
CONVECTION
DATA ACQUISITION
DATA ANALYSIS
DISTRIBUTION
DOCUMENT TYPES
E REGION
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ELECTRIC FIELDS
ENERGY TRANSFER
F REGION
GEOGRAPHICAL VARIATIONS
HEAT TRANSFER
INCOHERENT SCATTERING
IONOSPHERE
LATITUDE EFFECT
MASS TRANSFER
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
OPTIMIZATION
PLANETARY IONOSPHERES
PROGRESS REPORT
RADAR
RANGE FINDERS
SATELLITES
SCATTERING
SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION
VARIATIONS