Large amplitude irregularities at low latitudes in the topside ionosphere. Environmental research papers

Technical Report · Mon Nov 28 00:00:00 EST 1977

OSTI ID:6546378

Burke, W J; Donatelli, D E; Sagalyn, R C; Kelley, M C

Observations from the high-resolution spherical electrostatic analyzer experiment aboard ISIS I have been used to study large-amplitude irregularities at low latitudes in the topside ionosphere. The irregularities appeared as plasma depletions near the magnetic equator and were observed up to satellite apogee (3500 km). The altitude-local time distribution of the depletions was such that those at altitudes greater than 2000 km were found only in the post-midnight sector. This result agrees with the predictions of a simple MHD model for plasma bubbles drifting under the influence of gravity-buoyancy forces.

• Research Organization: Air Force Geophysics Lab., Hanscom AFB, MA (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6546378
• Report Number(s): AD-A-052268; AFGL-TR-77-0263; AFGL-ERP-616
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
F REGION
ELECTRON DENSITY
MAGNETOSPHERE
DISTURBANCES
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
VARIATIONS
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
FLUID MECHANICS
HYDRODYNAMICS
IONOSPHERE
MECHANICS
PLANETARY IONOSPHERES
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