Observations of the diurnal dependence of the high-latitude F region ion density by DMSP satellites

Journal Article · Mon Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1982 · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JA087iA03p01711· OSTI ID:6864746

Sojka, J J; Raitt, W J; Schunk, R W; Rich, F J; Sagalyn, R C

Data from the DMSP F2 and F4 satellites for the period December 5--10, 1979, have been used to study the diurnal dependence of the high-latitude ion density at 800-km altitude. A 24-hour periodicity in the minimum orbital density (MOD) during a crossing of the high-latitude region is observed in both the winter and summer hemispheres. The phase of the variation in MOD is such that is has a minimum during the 24-hour period between 0700 and 0900 UT. Both the long term variation of the high-latitude ion density on a time scale of days, and the orbit by orbit variations at the same geomagnetic location in the northern (winter) hemispheres for the magnetically quiet time period chosen show good qualitative agreement with the diurnal dependence predicted by a theoretical model of the ionospheric density at high latitudes under conditions of low convection speeds (Sojka et al., 1981a).

• Research Organization: Center for Atmospheric and Space Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, Utah 84322
• OSTI ID: 6864746
• Journal Information: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States) Vol. 87:A3; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640201* -- Atmospheric Physics-- Auroral
Ionospheric
& Magetospheric Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
DAILY VARIATIONS
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ELECTRIC FIELDS
F REGION
GEOGRAPHICAL VARIATIONS
ION DENSITY
IONOSPHERE
LATITUDE EFFECT
PLANETARY IONOSPHERES
PLASMA DRIFT
POLAR REGIONS
VARIATIONS