Magnetospheric cleft: ionospheric effects

Journal Article · Mon Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1976 · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JA081i007p01279· OSTI ID:7285733

Whitteker, J H

The fluxes of electrons that precipitate through the day side clefts of the magnetosphere are intense enough and deposit their energy at a high enough altitude to heat and ionize the F layer and top side ionosphere substantially. Relevant synoptic results from bottom side and top side sounder measurements are reviewed, and new data from the Isis satellites are presented. The effects of precipitation through the cleft can be seen in bottom side ionograms, but the diurnal variations that appear in routine monthly median plots are probably due primarily to other effects. As seen from above the F layer by the top side sounders on Alouette and Isis spacecraft, the most obvious effects are an expansion (increase in scale height) of the top side ionosphere due to heating and the presence of small-scale spatial fluctuations in density. The electron density at the F layer peak is often, but not always, increased. The increased electron density at satellite altitudes assoicated with top side expansion is often seen at a slightly higher latitude than the precipitation, and this displacement in latitude (of approx.1degree) is interpreted in terms of an antisunward drift due to magnetospheric convection. (AIP)

• Research Organization: Communications Research Centre, Department of Communication, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
• OSTI ID: 7285733
• Journal Information: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States) Vol. 81:7; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640201* -- Atmospheric Physics-- Auroral
Ionospheric
& Magetospheric Phenomena
640203 -- Atmospheric Physics-- Magnetospheric Phenomena-- (-1987)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
BARYONS
CHARGED-PARTICLE PRECIPITATION
DAILY VARIATIONS
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ELECTRON DENSITY
ELECTRON PRECIPITATION
ELECTRON TEMPERATURE
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
F REGION
FERMIONS
FLUX DENSITY
GEOGRAPHICAL VARIATIONS
HADRONS
IONOSPHERE
LATITUDE EFFECT
MAGNETOSHEATH
MAGNETOSPHERE
NUCLEONS
PROTONS
VARIATIONS