Thermal structure of the topside ionosphere observed by INJUN 5 during an intense magnetic storm. Environmental research papers

Technical Report · Mon Nov 28 04:00:00 EST 1977

OSTI ID:6681338

Burke, W J; Sagalyn, R C

Electron densities and temperatures as well as omnidirectional fluxes of hyperthermal positive ions (E > 28 eV) were measured by means of spherical Langmuir probes aboard INJUN 5 at altitudes > 2000 km during a major geomagnetic storm. The electron density in the mid-latitude trough decreased and the temperatures increased during the early phases of the storm. As the storm progressed, the position of the trough moved equatorward, with plasma depletions being observed to an invariant latitude of 40 deg during the early recovery phase. The latitude of the transition between heavy- and light-ion dominance also moved equatorward, but recovered at a rate slower than that of the position of the electron trough. Hyperthermal ions detected in the vicinity of the trough were ring current particles reaching to the satellite's altitude. The minimum thermal electron densities in the trough were found to be within 1 deg of latitude of the maximum ring current flux. Maximum electron temperatures were measured several degrees equatorward of this position. INJUN 5 electron temperatures are compared with those measured by Alouette 2 over the reported positions of SAR arcs. The observations are also used to evaluate further a method developed for calculating the position of the ring current by use of ground magnetic fluctuations.

• Research Organization: Air Force Geophysics Lab., Hanscom AFB, MA (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6681338
• Report Number(s): AD-A-051418; AFGL-TR-77-0261; AFGL-ERP-614
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640203* -- Atmospheric Physics-- Magnetospheric Phenomena-- (-1987)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
AURORAE
CATIONS
CHARGED PARTICLES
CURRENTS
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
ELECTRON DENSITY
ELECTRON TEMPERATURE
ENERGY RANGE
EV RANGE
IONS
MAGNETIC STORMS
MAGNETOSPHERE
PLASMASPHERE
RING CURRENTS