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Coordinated observations of high-latitude ionospheric turbulence

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6807633
A coordinated data set comprised of scintillation, ionosonde, incoherent scatter radar and optical measurements obtained on two nights during the CEDAR/WITS campaign of February, 1988 was selected for the study of two distinct classes of high latitude plasma turbulence. Under IMP Bz northward conditions, the polar cap arc detected by the all-sky imaging photometer (ASIP) in this phase of low solar activity (SSN=40) was found to be associated with a total electron content enhancement of only 2x10 to the 16th power/sq. m and weak amplitude scintillations (S sub 4 about = 0.35) at 250 MHz. The photometer and scintillation measurements indicated that in addition to the dawn to dusk motion of 200/ms in the inertial frame, there existed enhanced plasma motion of about 400/ms along the arc. The second data set conforming to IMF Bz southward condition showed the existence of ionization patches in the polar cap and their anti-sunward motion towards the auroral oval. The polar cap patches detected deep within the polar cap with electron contents as large as 10x10 to the 16th power/sq. m caused 15 dB scintillations at 250 MHz. These patches detected close to the auroral oval also caused strong scintillations which indicated that the patches get continually structured during their convection through the winter polar cap.
Research Organization:
Air Force Geophysics Lab., Hanscom AFB, MA (USA)
OSTI ID:
6807633
Report Number(s):
AD-A-218407/5/XAB; GL-TR--90-0023
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English