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Modeling the F region of the high-latitude ionosphere. Final report, 31 December 1985-16 May 1986

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6401522
The report summarizes work performed in modeling the characteristics of the high/mid latitude ionosphere in two areas; light-ion distribution in the plasmasphere under diffusive equilibrium conditions and plasma distribution in the F region and topside ionosphere in the Southern Hemisphere as a result of the magnetospheric-induced convection. In addition, there was an attempted experiment on high-latitude ionospheric modification. The light-ion study showed larger solar cycle and diurnal variations in the plasmaspheric light ion content than observed by whistler measurements. The plasma convection studied predicted more-dramatic effects in the gross features of the Southern hemisphere polar region compared to the Northern Hemisphere; this is attributed to the greater offset between the geographic and geomagnetic poles in the Southern Hemisphere. One of the major hemispheric differences observed was the appearance of a dayside trough at certain local lines in the Southern Hemisphere winter. The detection of this feature by ionospheric measurements of 800 km by the DMSP-F4 satellite confirmed the model prediction.
Research Organization:
Utah State Univ., Logan (USA). Center for Atmospheric and Space Sciences
OSTI ID:
6401522
Report Number(s):
AD-A-178383/6/XAB
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English