Influence of the E region dynamo on equatorial spread F

Journal Article · Fri Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 1983 · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JA088iA04p03169· OSTI ID:6079651

Hanson, W B; Sanatani, S; Patterson, T N.L.

The integrated E region Pedersen conductivity can be an important parameter in determining whether the bottomside of the equatorial F layer will be stable against the Rayleigh-Taylor gravitational instability. The F layer is observed to become unstable when it rises to great heights after sunset. One effect of this height rise is to decrease the stabilizing influence of ion-neutral collisions at F region heights. It is shown here that the same eastward electric field that raises the F layer also decreases the Pedersen conductivity of the E region, which further destabilizes convective overturning. Because the conductivity of magnetic tubes that penetrate the main F layer is large compared to the E layer contribution, these effects are important only for the bottomside of the equatorial F layer.

• Research Organization: Center for Space Sciences and Physics Programs, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas 75080
• OSTI ID: 6079651
• Journal Information: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Vol. 88:A4
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
SPREAD F
PLASMA
RAYLEIGH-TAYLOR INSTABILITY
E REGION
ELECTRIC FIELDS
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
F REGION
INSTABILITY
IONOSPHERE
PLANETARY IONOSPHERES
640201* - Atmospheric Physics- Auroral
Ionospheric
& Magetospheric Phenomena