Observations of the mid-latitude lower ionosphere in winter

Journal Article · Sun May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1977 · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JA082i013p01869· OSTI ID:7112445

Aikin, A C; Goldberg, R A; Jones, W; Kane, J A

Rocket observations of the lower ionosphere in the winter 1971 at two locations show differences of electron density which are attributed to enhancements of nitric oxide and energetic electron fluxes precipitated into the mesosphere during the poststorm phase of a geomagnetic storm. Electron density distributions were observed above Wallops Island, Virginai, and Keweenaw, Michigan, larger values occurring at Keweenaw. Energetic electron fluxes were greater at Keweenaw (L=3.9) than at Wallops Island (L=2.5). While particle ionization was the dominant factor in establishing the electron density during one measurement at Keweenaw, particles were not present 2 day earlier, even though the electron density distribution was significantly larger than that observed at Wallops Island on both occasions. An accompanying ion composition profile measured at Keweenaw during the earlier flight showed NO/sup 1/ to be the dominant ion to 76 km, where the concentration of hydrated ions, H/sub 3/O/sup 1/x (H/sub 2/O)/sub n/, exceeded that of NO. This lowering of the transition height from NO/sup 1/ to hydrated species is in agreement with independent observations of D region ion composition during anomalous winter conditions.

• Research Organization: Laboratory for Planetary Atmospheres, Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, Maryland 20771
• OSTI ID: 7112445
• Journal Information: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States) Vol. 82:13; 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
CHALCOGENIDES
CHARGED-PARTICLE PRECIPITATION
D REGION
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ELECTRON DENSITY
FLUIDS
GASES
IONIZATION
IONOSPHERE
MAGNETIC STORMS
NITRIC OXIDE
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN OXIDES
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PLANETARY IONOSPHERES
VAPORS
WATER VAPOR