Assessment of processes related to plasma irregularities. Final report 15 May--31 December 1977

Technical Report · Sat Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1977

OSTI ID:6473908

Cladis, J B; Newkirk, L L; Davidson, G T; Francis, W E; Walt, M

The occurrence of plasma irregularities that affect radio-wave propagation is assessed both for naturally-occurring disturbances and for disturbances resulting from a high-altitude nuclear explosion. Data obtained with the S3-3 satellite reveal that high electrostatic potential differences - to 8 kV - with associated plasma irregularities, often occur along the magnetic field at high latitudes. In a detailed analysis of electron and ion pitch-angle and energy distributions measured on the satellite, the potential differences below and above the satellite, and the potential distribution above the satellite, were determined. The properties of the potential structure, together with concurrent observations of electrostatic waves, indicate that the potential is supported by anomalous resistivity. Analysis of the wideband data reveals that the scintillation activity has a spatial structure and occurrence similar to those of discrete auroral arcs and electric fields. The general morphology of the scintillations at high latitudes is described, and some interpretations of the data are suggested. The electric fields and currents induced by the debris plasma and fission beta-decay electrons in the magnetosphere due to a high-altitude nuclear explosion are estimated. For large bursts, the currents, both along and across the magnetic field, exceed well-established plasma-instability criteria, and result in the formation of plasma irregularities. The region over which they are expected to occur extends as much as 60 deg in longitude east of the burst and, north of the burst, to latitudes near the auroral zone.

• Research Organization: Lockheed Missiles and Space Co., Palo Alto, CA (USA). Lockheed Palo Alto Research Lab.
• OSTI ID: 6473908
• Report Number(s): AD-A-056250
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640201* -- Atmospheric Physics-- Auroral
Ionospheric
& Magetospheric Phenomena
640202 -- Atmospheric Physics-- Effects of Nuclear Detonations
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ATMOSPHERIC EXPLOSIONS
CHARGED PARTICLES
CURRENTS
DISTRIBUTION
DISTURBANCES
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
ELECTRIC FIELDS
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELECTRONS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
ENERGY SPECTRA
EXPLOSIONS
FERMIONS
INCLINATION
INSTABILITY
IONOSPHERE
IONS
LEPTONS
MAGNETOSPHERE
NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PLANETARY IONOSPHERES
PLASMA INSTABILITY
PLASMA WAVES
RADIATIONS
RADIOWAVE RADIATION
SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION
SPECTRA
WAVE PROPAGATION