Unstable density gradients in the high-latitude ionosphere

Journal Article · Thu Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1985 · Radio Sci.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/RS020i004p00755· OSTI ID:5939298

Cerisier, J C; Berthelier, J J; Beghin, C

Electron density irregularities at medium scale (from a few kilometers to tens of kilometers) have been observed in the high-latitude topside F region by the satellite Aureol 3. These irregularities are field-aligned structures, as evidenced by their ducting effect on downgoing ELF hiss. It is often observed that the density enhancements have an asymmetrical structure in the direction perpendicular to the magnetic field. On one side of the density enhancement, an intense electrostatic turbulence is observed together with large density fluctuations. The other side is usually steeper and appears stable. These observations suggest that the density irregularities are convected by the dc electric field and that the instabilities are of the gradient drift type. 15 references.

• Research Organization: Centre de Recherches en Physique de l'Environnement Terrestre et Planetaire, Saint-Maur-des-Fosses, France; CNRS, Laboratoire de Physique et de Chimie de l'Environnement, Orleans, France
• OSTI ID: 5939298
• Journal Information: Radio Sci.; (United States), Journal Name: Radio Sci.; (United States) Vol. 20; ISSN RASCA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640201* -- Atmospheric Physics-- Auroral
Ionospheric
& Magetospheric Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
CONVECTION
DISTURBANCES
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ELECTRIC FIELDS
ELECTRON DENSITY
ENERGY TRANSFER
F REGION
HEAT TRANSFER
IONOSPHERE
MASS TRANSFER
PLANETARY IONOSPHERES
POLAR REGIONS