Structure and dynamics of polar-cap F-layer patches. Interim report, March 1985-March 1986

Technical Report · Mon Mar 31 04:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:7021979

Weber, E J; Klobuchar, J A; Buchau, J; Carlson, H C; Livingston, R C

Coordinated measurements of F-region plasma patches were conducted on 3 and 4 February 1984 from Thule and Sondrestrom, Greenland. Optical, ionosonde, amplitude scintillation, Total Electron Content (TEC), and incoherent scatter radar measurements were combined to reveal several new aspects of the structure and transport of these localized regions of enhanced F-region ionization. These patches were directly tracked for the first time flowing anti-sunward from the center of the polar cap to the poleward edge of of the auroral oval. Amplitude scintillation caused by irregularities within these structured patches showed a systematic increase on the trailing edge of the patches consistent with an E X B instability mechanism. Equally important, significant scintillation was also observed on the loading edge and throughout the patch, requiring another instability mechanism to produce irregularities throughout the interior of the patch.

• Research Organization: Air Force Geophysics Lab., Hanscom AFB, MA (USA)
• OSTI ID: 7021979
• Report Number(s): AD-A-175291/4/XAB; AFGL-TR-86-0074
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640201* -- Atmospheric Physics-- Auroral
Ionospheric
& Magetospheric Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
AIRGLOW
DYNAMICS
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ELECTRON DENSITY
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
F REGION
GREENLAND
INCOHERENT SCATTERING
IONIZATION
IONOSONDES
IONOSPHERE
MECHANICS
PLANETARY IONOSPHERES
POLAR REGIONS
RADIO EQUIPMENT
SCATTERING
SCINTILLATIONS