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Ionosphere

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Articles 31 - 60 of 82

Full-Text Articles in Physics

Sensitivity Analysis Of Empirical Parameters In The Ionosphere-Plasmasphere Model, Janelle V. Jenniges Mar 2011

Sensitivity Analysis Of Empirical Parameters In The Ionosphere-Plasmasphere Model, Janelle V. Jenniges

Theses and Dissertations

A sensitivity analysis of empirical parameters used in physics-based models was completed in this study to determine their effect on electron densities and total electron content (TEC) in the ionosphere. The model used was the Ionosphere-Plasmasphere Model (IPM) developed by Utah State University. The empirical parameters studied include the O+/O collision frequency, zonal wind, secondary electron production, nighttime ExB drifts, and tidal structure. The sensitivity analysis was completed by comparing a default run of the IPM to a run with the parameter adjusted for three geophysical cases. Many of the comparisons resulted in nonlinear changes to the model …


Analysis Of Plasma Bubble Signatures In The Ionosphere, Omar A. Nava Mar 2011

Analysis Of Plasma Bubble Signatures In The Ionosphere, Omar A. Nava

Theses and Dissertations

Plasma bubbles are large scale structures of depleted plasma density in Earth's ionosphere that disrupt radio and satellite communications, to include global navigation satellite systems. This study used the Ionospheric Forecast Model (IFM) to analyze affected look angles and total electron content (TEC) differences due to plasma bubbles of various sizes for 27 geophysical conditions consisting of different seasons and levels of solar and geomagnetic activity at 421 GPS ground stations worldwide. Overall, different geographic locations and plasma bubble configurations produced different affected look angle profiles. Bigger plasma bubbles, larger density depletion factors, higher levels of solar activity and the …


Sensitivity Analysis Of Empirical Parameters In The Ionosphere-Plasmasphere Model, Janelle V. Jenniges Feb 2011

Sensitivity Analysis Of Empirical Parameters In The Ionosphere-Plasmasphere Model, Janelle V. Jenniges

Janelle V Jenniges

A sensitivity analysis of empirical parameters used in physics-based models was completed in this study to determine their effect on electron densities and total electron content (TEC) in the ionosphere. The model used was the Ionosphere- Plasmasphere Model (IPM) developed by Utah State University. The empirical pa- rameters studied include the O+/O collision frequency, zonal wind, secondary electron production, nighttime E⃗ × B⃗ drifts, and tidal structure. The sensitivity analysis was completed by comparing a default run of the IPM to a run with the parameter ad- justed for three geophysical cases. Many of the comparisons resulted in nonlinear changes …


Duskside F-Region Dynamo Currents: Itsrelationship With Prereversal Enhancement Of Vertical Plasma Drift, P. Park, H. Luhr, Bela G. Fejer, K. W. Mim Jan 2010

Duskside F-Region Dynamo Currents: Itsrelationship With Prereversal Enhancement Of Vertical Plasma Drift, P. Park, H. Luhr, Bela G. Fejer, K. W. Mim

Bela G. Fejer

From magnetic field observations by CHAMP we estimate F-region dynamo current densities near the sunset terminator during solar maximum years from 2001 to 2002. The dynamo currents are compared with the pre-reversal enhancement (PRE) of vertical plasma drift as observed by ROCSAT-1. The seasonal-longitudinal variation of PRE can be largely related to the F-region dynamo current density, with the correlation coefficient reaching 0.74. The correlation can be further improved if we consider a zonal gradient of the E-region Pedersen conductivity, which also depends on season and longitude. It is widely accepted that the Fregion dynamo drives PRE near sunset. For …


Lunar Dependent Equatorial Ionospheric Effects During Sudden Stratosphericwarmings, Bela G. Fejer, M. E. Olson, J. L. Chau, C. Stolle, H. Luhr, L. P. Goncharenko, K. Yumoto, T. Nagatsuma Jan 2010

Lunar Dependent Equatorial Ionospheric Effects During Sudden Stratosphericwarmings, Bela G. Fejer, M. E. Olson, J. L. Chau, C. Stolle, H. Luhr, L. P. Goncharenko, K. Yumoto, T. Nagatsuma

Bela G. Fejer

[1] We have used plasma drift and magnetic field measurements during the 2001–2009 December solstices to study, for the first time, the longitudinal dependence of equatorial ionospheric electrodynamic perturbations during sudden stratospheric warmings. Jicamarca radar measurements during these events show large dayside downward drift (westward electric field) perturbations followed by large morning upward and afternoon downward drifts that systematically shift to later local times. Ground-based magnetometer measurements in the American, Indian, and Pacific equatorial regions show strongly enhanced electrojet currents in the morning sector and large reversed currents (i.e., counterelectrojets) in the afternoon sector with onsets near new and full …


Analysis Of Total Electron Content (Tec) Variations In The Low- And Middle-Latitude Ionosphere, Ja Soon Shim May 2009

Analysis Of Total Electron Content (Tec) Variations In The Low- And Middle-Latitude Ionosphere, Ja Soon Shim

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Detailed study of the spatial correlations of day-to-day ionospheric TEC variations on a global scale was performed for four 30-day-long periods in 2004 (January, March/April, June/July, September/October) using observations from more than 1000 ground-based GPS receivers. In order to obtain the spatial correlations, initially, the day-to-day variability was calculated by first mapping the observed slant TEC values for each 5-minute GPS ground receiver-satellite pair to the vertical and then differencing it with its corresponding value from the previous day. This resulted in more than 150 million values of day-to-day change in TEC (delta TEC). Next, statistics were performed on the …


Overviewand Summary Of The Spread F Experiment (Spreadfex), D. C. Fritts, M. A. Abdu, B. R. Batista, I. S. Batista, P. P. Batista, R. Buritii, B. R. Clemesha, J. Comberiate, T. Dautermann, E. De Paula, B. J. Fechine, Bela G. Fejer, D. Gobbi, J. Haase, F. Kalamabadi, B. Laughman, P. P. Lima, H. L. Liu, A. Medeiros, D. Pautet, F. Sao Sabbas, J. H.A. Sobral, P. Stamus, H. Takahashi, M. J. Taylor, S. L. Vadas, C. Wrasse Jan 2009

Overviewand Summary Of The Spread F Experiment (Spreadfex), D. C. Fritts, M. A. Abdu, B. R. Batista, I. S. Batista, P. P. Batista, R. Buritii, B. R. Clemesha, J. Comberiate, T. Dautermann, E. De Paula, B. J. Fechine, Bela G. Fejer, D. Gobbi, J. Haase, F. Kalamabadi, B. Laughman, P. P. Lima, H. L. Liu, A. Medeiros, D. Pautet, F. Sao Sabbas, J. H.A. Sobral, P. Stamus, H. Takahashi, M. J. Taylor, S. L. Vadas, C. Wrasse

Bela G. Fejer

We provide here an overview of, and a summary of results arising from, an extensive experimental campaign (the Spread F Experiment, or SpreadFEx) performed from September to November 2005, with primary measurements in Brazil. The motivation was to define the potential role of neutral atmosphere dynamics, specifically gravity wave motions propagating upward from the lower atmosphere, in seeding Rayleigh-Taylor instability (RTI) and plasma bubbles extending to higher altitudes. Campaign measurements focused on the Brazilian sector and included ground-based optical, radar, digisonde, and GPS measurements at a number of fixed and temporary sites. Related data on convection and plasma bubble structures …


The Adaptability Of Langmuir Probes To The Pico-Satellite Regime, Andrew Jay Auman Dec 2008

The Adaptability Of Langmuir Probes To The Pico-Satellite Regime, Andrew Jay Auman

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this thesis is to investigate whether it is feasible to use Langmuir probes on pico-satellites flying in low Earth orbit over mid- to low-latitude geographic regions. Following chapters on the expected ionospheric conditions and an overview of Langmuir probe theory, a chapter addressing the difficulties involved with pico-satellite Langmuir probes is presented. Also, the necessary satellite-to-probe surface area requirements in order to achieve confidence in pico-satellite Langmuir probe data, for the orbital regions of interest to this thesis, are stated.


An Event Study To Provide Validation Of Ting And Cmit Geomagnetic Middle-Latitude Electron Densities At The F2 Peak, A. G. Burns, W. Wang, M. Wiltberger, S. C. Soloman, Harlan E. Spence, T. L. Killeen, R. E. Lopez, J. E. Landivar May 2008

An Event Study To Provide Validation Of Ting And Cmit Geomagnetic Middle-Latitude Electron Densities At The F2 Peak, A. G. Burns, W. Wang, M. Wiltberger, S. C. Soloman, Harlan E. Spence, T. L. Killeen, R. E. Lopez, J. E. Landivar

Physics & Astronomy

[1] The coupled thermosphere-ionosphere magnetosphere (CMIT) model and the Thermosphere Ionosphere Nested Grid (TING) model have been run to simulate the 15 May 1997 interplanetary coronal mass ejection's (ICME) effects on the Earth's ionosphere and thermosphere. Comparisons were made between these model runs, the IRI-2007 model, and geomagnetic middle-latitude ionosonde data (NmF2) from the World Data Center to determine how well the models simulated the event and to understand the causes of model-data disagreement. The following conclusions were drawn from this study: (1) skill scores were more often negative than positive on average; (2) the best and the worst skill …


Relation Between The Occurrence Rate Of Esf And The Verticalplasma Drift Velocity At Sunset Derived Form Global Observations, C. Stolle, H. Luhr, Bela G. Fejer Jan 2008

Relation Between The Occurrence Rate Of Esf And The Verticalplasma Drift Velocity At Sunset Derived Form Global Observations, C. Stolle, H. Luhr, Bela G. Fejer

Bela G. Fejer

In this study, we investigate two global climatological data sets; the occurrence rate of Equatorial Spread- F (ESF), associated with equatorial plasma irregularities, at 400 km altitude obtained from CHAMP observations, and the evening equatorial vertical plasma drift, vz, from ROCSAT-1 measurements. First, as retrieved for a solar flux level of F10.7=150, the longitudinal variation of the two independently derived quantities correlates between 84% and 93% in the seasons December solstice, equinox and June solstice. The highest correlation is found for the solstice seasons when vz is integrated over local time around the prereversal enhancement (PRE) and displaced 6 towards …


Gravity Wave And Tidalinfluences On Equatorial Spread F Based On Observations During The Spread F Experiment(Spreadfex), D. C. Fritts, S. L. Vadas, D. M. Riggin, M. A. Abdu, I. S. Batista, H. Takahashi, A. Medeiros, F. Kalamabadi, H. L. Liu, Bela G. Fejer, M. J. Taylor, F. Vargas Jan 2008

Gravity Wave And Tidalinfluences On Equatorial Spread F Based On Observations During The Spread F Experiment(Spreadfex), D. C. Fritts, S. L. Vadas, D. M. Riggin, M. A. Abdu, I. S. Batista, H. Takahashi, A. Medeiros, F. Kalamabadi, H. L. Liu, Bela G. Fejer, M. J. Taylor, F. Vargas

Bela G. Fejer

The Spread F Experiment, or SpreadFEx, was performed from September to November 2005 to define the potential role of neutral atmosphere dynamics, primarily gravity waves propagating upward from the lower atmosphere, in seeding equatorial spread F (ESF) and plasma bubbles extending to higher altitudes. A description of the SpreadFEx campaign motivations, goals, instrumentation, and structure, and an overview of the results presented in this special issue, are provided by Fritts et al. (2008a). The various analyses of neutral atmosphere and ionosphere dynamics and structure described in this special issue provide enticing evidence of gravity waves arising from deep convection in …


Equatorial Ionospheric Electric Fields During The November 2004 Magnetic Storm, Bela G. Fejer, J. W. Jensen, T. Kikuchi, M. A. Abdu, J. L. Chau Oct 2007

Equatorial Ionospheric Electric Fields During The November 2004 Magnetic Storm, Bela G. Fejer, J. W. Jensen, T. Kikuchi, M. A. Abdu, J. L. Chau

Bela G. Fejer

[1] We use radar measurements from the Jicamarca Radio Observatory, magnetometer observations from the Pacific sector and ionosonde data from Brazil to study equatorial ionospheric electric fields during the November 2004 geomagnetic storm. Our data show very large eastward and westward daytime electrojet current perturbations with lifetimes of about an hour (indicative of undershielding and overshielding prompt penetration electric fields) in the Pacific equatorial region during the November 7 main phase of the storm, when the southward IMF, the solar wind and reconnection electric fields, and the polar cap potential drops had very large and nearly steady values. This result …


Evolution Of Equatorial Ionospheric Bubbles During A Large Auroral Electrojet Increase In The Recovery Phase Of A Magnetic Storm, M. J. Keskinen, S. L. Ossakow, Bela G. Fejer, J. Emmert Feb 2006

Evolution Of Equatorial Ionospheric Bubbles During A Large Auroral Electrojet Increase In The Recovery Phase Of A Magnetic Storm, M. J. Keskinen, S. L. Ossakow, Bela G. Fejer, J. Emmert

Bela G. Fejer

[1] We present a model and observations of the evolution of equatorial ionospheric bubbles during a large auroral electrojet (AE) index increase in the recovery phase of a geomagnetic storm. Using a three-dimensional time-dependent numerical simulation model, we find, for the 19–21 October 1998 storm, that the equatorial bubble evolution is different during storm time as compared to quiet time conditions. We have found that the storm time vertical drift in conjunction with reduced off-equatorial E region shorting is the primary mechanism that distinguishes the large AE increase recovery phase storm time evolution from the quiet time case. Comparison of …


Utah State University Global Assimilation Of Ionospheric Measurements Gauss-Markov Kalman Filter Model Of The Ionosphere: Model Description And Validation, Ludger Scherliess, Robert W. Schunk, Jan Josef Sojka, Donald C. Thompson, Lie Zhu Jan 2006

Utah State University Global Assimilation Of Ionospheric Measurements Gauss-Markov Kalman Filter Model Of The Ionosphere: Model Description And Validation, Ludger Scherliess, Robert W. Schunk, Jan Josef Sojka, Donald C. Thompson, Lie Zhu

All Physics Faculty Publications

The Utah State University Gauss-Markov Kalman Filter (GMKF) was developed as part of the Global Assimilation of Ionospheric Measurements (GAIM) program. The GMKF uses a physics-based model of the ionosphere and a Gauss-Markov Kalman filter as a basis for assimilating a diverse set of real-time (or near real-time) observations. The physics-based model is the Ionospheric Forecast Model (IFM), which accounts for five ion species and covers the E region, F region, and the topside from 90 to 1400 km altitude. Within the GMKF, the IFM derived ionospheric densities constitute a background density field on which perturbations are superimposed based on …


Rocket And Radar Investigation Of Background Electrodynamics And Bottom-Type Scattering Layers At The Onset Of Equatorial Spread F, D. L. Hysell, M. F. Larsen, C. M. Swenson, Aroh Barjatya, Et. Al Jan 2006

Rocket And Radar Investigation Of Background Electrodynamics And Bottom-Type Scattering Layers At The Onset Of Equatorial Spread F, D. L. Hysell, M. F. Larsen, C. M. Swenson, Aroh Barjatya, Et. Al

Publications

Sounding rocket experiments were conducted during the NASA EQUIS II campaign on Kwajalein Atoll designed to elucidate the electrodynamics and layer structure of the postsunset equatorial F region ionosphere prior to the onset of equatorial spread F (ESF). Experiments took place on 7 and 15 August 2004, each comprised of the launch of an instrumented and two chemical release sounding rockets. The instrumented rockets measured plasma number density, vector electric fields, and other parameters to an apogee of about 450 km. The chemical release rockets deployed trails of trimethyl aluminum (TMA) which yielded wind profile measurements. The Altair radar was …


Assimilative Modeling Of The Equatorial Ionosphere For Scintillation Forecasting: Modeling With Vertical Drifts, J. M. Retterer, D. T. Decker, W. S. Borer, R. E. Daniell, Bela G. Fejer Nov 2005

Assimilative Modeling Of The Equatorial Ionosphere For Scintillation Forecasting: Modeling With Vertical Drifts, J. M. Retterer, D. T. Decker, W. S. Borer, R. E. Daniell, Bela G. Fejer

Bela G. Fejer

[1] Knowledge of the vertical plasma drift velocity observed by the Jicamarca incoherent radar in seven events is assimilated into a theoretical model for the ambient F region plasma density. Comparisons of the calculated plasma density model and the observed plasma density show that, apart from the signature effects of equatorial plasma bubbles, the ambient model captures much of the detail of the plasma density profiles. Rayleigh-Taylor growth rates calculated with the ambient model show a good correlation with the occurrence of spread F.


Behavior Of The Ionosphere And Thermosphere Subject To Extreme Solar Cycle Conditions, C. G. Smithtro, Jan Josef Sojka Jan 2005

Behavior Of The Ionosphere And Thermosphere Subject To Extreme Solar Cycle Conditions, C. G. Smithtro, Jan Josef Sojka

All Physics Faculty Publications

A 1-D global average ionosphere and thermosphere (GAIT) model is used to examine the climatological behavior of the upper atmosphere, subject to both extremely low and high solar flux. These extremes are justified, in part, by the Maunder Minimum and Grand Maximum epochs described by J. A. Eddy, as well as other studies involving cosmogenic isotopes and Sun-like stars. As the irradiance falls below normal solar minimum levels, the concentration of O+ decreases rapidly relative to the molecular ions, such that the ratio ƒoF2oF1 approaches unity. When subject to exceptionally high solar …


A New Global Average Model Of The Coupled Thermosphere And Ionosphere, C. G. Smithtro, Jan Josef Sojka Jan 2005

A New Global Average Model Of The Coupled Thermosphere And Ionosphere, C. G. Smithtro, Jan Josef Sojka

All Physics Faculty Publications

A model representing the global average ionosphere and thermosphere (GAIT) is developed as a tool to explore the response of the coupled system to changes in the input solar irradiance between 3 and 360 nm. The GAIT model self-consistently solves the coupled continuity, momentum, and energy equations for the three major neutral species, N2, O2, and O, as well as minor neutral constituents important to the global energy budget. In the ionosphere the model includes five different ion species and two excited states of O+. The GAIT model also includes an approximate treatment of …


Global Dayside Ionospheric Uplift And Enhancements Due To Interplanetary Shock Electric Fields, B. R. Tsurutani, A. Mannucci, B. Ijima, A. Saito, K. Yumoto, M. A. Abdu, J. H.A. Sobral, W. D. Gonzalez, F. L. Guarnieri, T. Tsuda, Bela G. Fejer, T. J. Fuller-Rowell, J. U.O. Kozyra, J. C. Foster, A. Coster, V. M. Vasyliumas Jan 2004

Global Dayside Ionospheric Uplift And Enhancements Due To Interplanetary Shock Electric Fields, B. R. Tsurutani, A. Mannucci, B. Ijima, A. Saito, K. Yumoto, M. A. Abdu, J. H.A. Sobral, W. D. Gonzalez, F. L. Guarnieri, T. Tsuda, Bela G. Fejer, T. J. Fuller-Rowell, J. U.O. Kozyra, J. C. Foster, A. Coster, V. M. Vasyliumas

Bela G. Fejer

[1] The interplanetary shock/electric field event of 5–6 November 2001 is analyzed using ACE interplanetary data. The consequential ionospheric effects are studied using GPS receiver data from the CHAMP and SAC-C satellites and altimeter data from the TOPEX/Poseidon satellite. Data from ∼100 ground-based GPS receivers as well as Brazilian Digisonde and Pacific sector magnetometer data are also used. The dawn-to-dusk interplanetary electric field was initially ∼33 mV/m just after the forward shock (IMF BZ = −48 nT) and later reached a peak value of ∼54 mV/m 1 hour and 40 min later (BZ = −78 nT). The electric field was …


Development Of A Physics-Based Reduced State Kalman Filter For The Ionosphere, Ludger Scherliess, Robert W. Schunk, Jan Josef Sojka, Donald C. Thompson Jan 2004

Development Of A Physics-Based Reduced State Kalman Filter For The Ionosphere, Ludger Scherliess, Robert W. Schunk, Jan Josef Sojka, Donald C. Thompson

All Physics Faculty Publications

A physics-based data assimilation model of the ionosphere is under development as the central part of a Department of Defense/Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI)-funded program called Global Assimilation of Ionospheric Measurements (GAIM). With the significant increase in the number of ionospheric observations that will become available over the next decade, this model will provide a powerful tool toward an improved specification and forecasting of the global ionosphere, with an unprecedented accuracy and reliability. The goal of this effort will be specifications and forecasts on spatial grids that can be global, regional, or local (25 km × 25 km). The specification/forecast …


Low Latitude Ionospheric Disturbance Electric Field Effects Duringthe Recovery Phase Of The October 19-21, 1998 Magnetic Storm, Bela G. Fejer, J. T. Emmert Dec 2003

Low Latitude Ionospheric Disturbance Electric Field Effects Duringthe Recovery Phase Of The October 19-21, 1998 Magnetic Storm, Bela G. Fejer, J. T. Emmert

Bela G. Fejer

[1] Low-latitude ionospheric electric fields and currents are often strongly disturbed during periods of enhanced geomagnetic activity. These perturbations can last for several hours after geomagnetic quieting. We use incoherent scatter radar measurements from Jicamarca and Arecibo during 19–21 October 1998 to study, for the first time, the low-latitude disturbance electric fields during the recovery phase of a large magnetic storm. On 19 October the Jicamarca data showed initially large and short-lived (time scale of about 10–20 min) upward and westward drift perturbations in the early afternoon sector, due to the penetration of strong magnetospheric electric fields probably driven by …


Three-Dimensional Nonlinear Evolution Ofequatorial Ionospheric Spread-F Bubbles, M. J. Keskinen, S. L. Ossakow, Bela G. Fejer Aug 2003

Three-Dimensional Nonlinear Evolution Ofequatorial Ionospheric Spread-F Bubbles, M. J. Keskinen, S. L. Ossakow, Bela G. Fejer

Bela G. Fejer

[1] Using numerical simulation techniques, we present the first study of the three-dimensional nonlinear evolution of an equatorial spread-F bubble. The background ionosphere used to initialize the bubble evolution is computed using a time-dependent first-principles equatorial plasma fountain model together with a prereversal enhancement vertical drift model. We find that finite parallel conductivity effects slow down both the linear and nonlinear bubble evolution compared to the two-dimensional evolution. In addition we find that bubble-like structures with extremely sharp density gradients can be generated off the equator at equatorial anomaly latitudes in agreement with recent observations.


Radar Studies Of Mid-Latitude Ionospheric Plasma Drifts, L. Scherliess, Bela G. Fejer, J. Holt, L. Goncharenko, C. Armory-Mazaudier, M. J. Buonsanto Feb 2001

Radar Studies Of Mid-Latitude Ionospheric Plasma Drifts, L. Scherliess, Bela G. Fejer, J. Holt, L. Goncharenko, C. Armory-Mazaudier, M. J. Buonsanto

Bela G. Fejer

We use incoherent scatter radar measurements from Millstone Hill and Saint Santin to study the midlatitude F region electrodynamic plasma drifts during geomagnetically quiet and active periods. We present initially a local time, season, and solar flux dependent analytical model of the quiet time zonal and meridional E × B drifts over these stations. We discuss, for the first time, the Saint Santin drift patterns during solar maximum. We have used these quiet time models to extract the geomagnetic perturbation drifts which were modeled as a function of the time history of the auroral electrojet indices. Our results illustrate the …


Seasonal And Magnetic Activity Variations Of Ionospheric Electric Fields Above The Southernmid-Latitude Station, Bundoora, Australia, M. L. Parkinson, R. Polglase, Bela G. Fejer, L. Scherliess, P. L. Dyson, S. M. Ujmaia Jan 2001

Seasonal And Magnetic Activity Variations Of Ionospheric Electric Fields Above The Southernmid-Latitude Station, Bundoora, Australia, M. L. Parkinson, R. Polglase, Bela G. Fejer, L. Scherliess, P. L. Dyson, S. M. Ujmaia

Bela G. Fejer

We investigate the seasonal, local solar time, and geomagnetic activity variations of the average Doppler velocity measured by an HF digital ionosonde deployed at Bundoora, Australia. The Doppler velocities were heavily averaged to suppress the short-term effects (<3>hours) of atmospheric gravity waves, and thereby obtain the diurnal variations attributed to the tidally-driven ionospheric dynamo and electric fields generated by magnetic disturbances. The observed seasonal variations in Doppler velocity were probably controlled by variations in the lower thermospheric winds and ionospheric conductivity above Bundoora and in the magnetically conjugate location. The diurnal variations of the meridional (fieldperpendicular) drifts and their …


De-2 Observations Of Morningside And Eveningside Plasma Density Depletions In The Equatorial Ionosphere, M. Palmroth, H. Laakso, Bela G. Fejer, R. F. Pfaff Aug 2000

De-2 Observations Of Morningside And Eveningside Plasma Density Depletions In The Equatorial Ionosphere, M. Palmroth, H. Laakso, Bela G. Fejer, R. F. Pfaff

Bela G. Fejer

The occurrence of equatorial density depletions in the nightside F region ionosphere has been investigated by using observations gathered by the polar-orbiting Dynamics Explorer 2 satellite from August 1981 to February 1983. A variety of electric field/plasma drift patterns were observed within these depletions, including updrafting, downdrafting, bifurcating, converging, subsonic, and supersonic flows. The depletions, 116 events in total, are distributed over two groups: group I (eveningside depletions) consists of the events in the 1900–2300 MLT sector, and group II (morningside depletions) are the events in the 2300–0600 MLT sector. A statistical analysis reveals clear differences in the density depletion …


Theoretical Studies Of Penetration Of Magnetospheric Electric Fields To The Ionosphere, Stanislav Sazykin May 2000

Theoretical Studies Of Penetration Of Magnetospheric Electric Fields To The Ionosphere, Stanislav Sazykin

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Ionospheric disturbance electric fields of magnetospheric origin play an important role in determining the global morphology and dynamics of the ionosphere of the Earth. In this work, we present a number of numerical simulations of the transient electric fields in the middle and inner magnetosphere and the ionosphere equatorward of the auroral zone caused by idealized changes in the magnetospheric driving parameters. For these studies, we use the Rice Convection Model (RCM), a large computer code of the magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling which consistently computes the electric fields, currents, and plasma densities in the magnetosphere and the electric field and currents in …


Mid- And Low-Latitude Prompt-Penetration Ionospheric Zonalplasma Drifts, Bela G. Fejer, L. Scherliess Aug 1998

Mid- And Low-Latitude Prompt-Penetration Ionospheric Zonalplasma Drifts, Bela G. Fejer, L. Scherliess

Bela G. Fejer

We have used ion drift observations from the DE-2 satellite to determine the latitudinal variation and the temporal evolution of mid- and low-latitude prompt penetration zonal plasma drifts driven by magnetospheric electric fields. Our results indicate that sudden increases in convection lead to predominantly westward perturbation drifts which decrease equartorwards and have largest amplitudes in the dusk-midnight sector. The diurnal perturbation drift patterns shift to later local times with increasing storm time and decay to new quasi-equilibrium values in about 2 hours, as the ring current readjusts to the new polar cap potential. The daily and latitudinal variations and temporal …


Possible Evidence Of Gravity Wave Coupling Into The Mid-Latitude F Region Ionosphere During The Seek Campaign, Michael J. Taylor, J. M. Jahn, S. Fukao, A. Saito Jun 1998

Possible Evidence Of Gravity Wave Coupling Into The Mid-Latitude F Region Ionosphere During The Seek Campaign, Michael J. Taylor, J. M. Jahn, S. Fukao, A. Saito

All Physics Faculty Publications

On five of eight observation nights during the 1996 SEEK (Sporadic E Experiment over Kyushu) campaign, Japan, unusual “wave‐like” structures were imaged in the 630 nm thermospheric nightglow emission. Four of these events were observed to travel towards the southwest, providing new evidence in support of recent theories describing the coupling of medium‐scale gravity waves into the mid‐latitude F region ionosphere. Available ionosonde data and the visual characteristics of the wave structures indicate no association with the occurrence of mid‐latitude spread F or F region upwellings. Instead, the data support the novel concept of feedback from the ionosphere into the …


Satellite Studies Of Mid- And Low-Latitude Ionospheric Disturbancezonal Plasma Drifts, L. Scherliess, Bela G. Fejer May 1998

Satellite Studies Of Mid- And Low-Latitude Ionospheric Disturbancezonal Plasma Drifts, L. Scherliess, Bela G. Fejer

Bela G. Fejer

We use low- and mid-latitude zonal ion drift observations from the DE-2 satellite and auroral electrojet indices to study the temporal and latitudinal variations of F-region perturbation drifts during magnetically disturbed conditions. These perturbation drifts are driven by magnetospheric and ionospheric disturbance dynamo electric fields with time constants from less than one to several hours. We determine, initially, the drift patterns due to the prompt penetration of magnetospheric electric fields and of longer lasting disturbances. In this study, we concentrate on the properties of the longer lasting perturbations which occur with latitude-dependent time delays after enhancements in the high-latitude ionospheric …


Intercomparison Of Physical Models And Observations Of The Ionosphere, D. N. Anderson, M. J. Buonsanto, M. Codrescu, D. Decker, C. G. Fesen, T. J. Fuller-Rowell, B. W. Reinisch, P. G. Richards, R. G. Roble, Robert W. Schunk, Jan Josef Sojka Jan 1998

Intercomparison Of Physical Models And Observations Of The Ionosphere, D. N. Anderson, M. J. Buonsanto, M. Codrescu, D. Decker, C. G. Fesen, T. J. Fuller-Rowell, B. W. Reinisch, P. G. Richards, R. G. Roble, Robert W. Schunk, Jan Josef Sojka

All Physics Faculty Publications

Five physical models of the ionosphere were compared with each other and with data obtained at the Millstone Hill Observatory. Two of the models were self-consistent ionosphere-thermosphere models, while for the other ionospheric models the thermospheric parameters were provided by empirical inputs. The comparisons were restricted to midlatitudes and low geomagnetic activity, but four geophysical cases were considered that covered both the summer and winter solstices at solar maximum and minimum. The original motivation of the study was to determine why several physical models consistently underestimated the F region peak electron density, by up to a factor of 2, in …