Studies of ionospheric plasma and electrodynamics and their application to ionosphere-magnetosphere coupling

Journal Article · Sun May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1988 · Rev. Geophys. Space Phys.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/RG026i002p00317· OSTI ID:6695027

Heelis, R A

The contribution of the Dynamics Explorer (DE) program to the study of small-scale structure in the equatorial ionospheric number density and the bulk motion of the plasma in the equatorial ionosphere is considered. DE results have helped elucidate the role of E region and F region winds in decreasing the magnitude of variations in the east-west plasma drift at night, as a function of magnetic flux tube apex height, with increasing height above the altitude of the peak F region concentration. Other results concern the ionospheric convection pattern at high latitudes during periods of southward IMF, the magnetosphere/solar-wind interaction that may be involved in the production of the convection pattern, and the characteristics of the high-latitude ionospheric plasma motion during periods of northward IMF. 41 references.

• Research Organization: Texas Univ., Richardson (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6695027
• Journal Information: Rev. Geophys. Space Phys.; (United States), Journal Name: Rev. Geophys. Space Phys.; (United States) Vol. 26; ISSN RGPSB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640201* -- Atmospheric Physics-- Auroral
Ionospheric
& Magetospheric Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
CONVECTION
E REGION
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
EARTH MAGNETOSPHERE
ELECTRODYNAMICS
ENERGY TRANSFER
EQUATOR
F REGION
HEAT TRANSFER
INTERACTIONS
INTERPLANETARY MAGNETIC FIELDS
IONOSPHERE
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETIC FLUX
MASS TRANSFER
MORPHOLOGY
PLANETARY IONOSPHERES
PLASMA
PLASMA DRIFT
SOLAR ACTIVITY
SOLAR WIND