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Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Effect Of Sudden Stratospheric Warmingon Lunar Tidal Modulation Of The Equatorial Electrojet, J. Park, H. Luhr, M. Kunze, Bela G. Fejer, K. W. Min Mar 2012

Effect Of Sudden Stratospheric Warmingon Lunar Tidal Modulation Of The Equatorial Electrojet, J. Park, H. Luhr, M. Kunze, Bela G. Fejer, K. W. Min

Bela G. Fejer

[1] Using the equatorial electrojet (EEJ) peak current intensity as deduced from CHAMP magnetic observations from the years 2001 through 2009, we investigated the relationship between sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) and lunitidal signatures in the tropical ionosphere. There is a practically one-to-one correspondence between midwinter SSW periods and the strongest 13 day modulation of the EEJ strength as observed by CHAMP. That is, all the midwinter SSW periods from December 2001 to August 2009 were accompanied by an enhanced 13 day modulation of the EEJ strength. No other geophysical phenomenon brought about as strong a 13 day modulation as those …


Observations Of The Vertical Ion Drift In The Equatorial Ionosphere During The Solar Minimum Period Of 2009, R. A. Stoneback, R. A. Heelis, A. G. Burrell, W. R. Coley, Bela G. Fejer, E. Pacheco Dec 2011

Observations Of The Vertical Ion Drift In The Equatorial Ionosphere During The Solar Minimum Period Of 2009, R. A. Stoneback, R. A. Heelis, A. G. Burrell, W. R. Coley, Bela G. Fejer, E. Pacheco

Bela G. Fejer

[1] The extended solar minimum conditions in 2008 and 2009 presented an opportunity to investigate the ionosphere at lower solar activity levels than previously observed. The Coupled Ion Neutral Dynamics Investigation (CINDI) Ion Velocity Meter (IVM) instrument onboard the Communication/Navigation Outage Forecasting System is used to construct the median meridional (vertical) ion drifts, ion densities, and O+ concentrations during periods of low geomagnetic activity for four characteristic seasons each year spanning late 2008 to 2010. The presence of a large semidiurnal component in the ion drift variation at the equator produced significant differences from typical ionospheric conditions. Instead of upward …


Enhanced Lunar Semidiurnal Equatorial Vertical Plasma Drifts During Sudden Stratospheric Warmings, Bela G. Fejer, B. D. Tracy, J. L. Chau Nov 2011

Enhanced Lunar Semidiurnal Equatorial Vertical Plasma Drifts During Sudden Stratospheric Warmings, Bela G. Fejer, B. D. Tracy, J. L. Chau

Bela G. Fejer

[1] Large scale electrodynamic and plasma density variations in the low latitude ionosphere have recently been associated with sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) events. We present average patterns of largely enhanced lunar semidiurnal equatorial vertical plasma drift perturbations during arctic winter low and high solar flux SSW events. These perturbations play a dominant role in the electrodynamic response of the low latitude ionosphere to SSWs. Our models indicate that the amplitudes of the enhanced lunar semidiurnal drifts are strongly local time and solar flux dependent, with largest values during early morning low solar flux SSW periods. These results suggest that ionospheric …


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 …


Quiet Variability Of Equatorial E × B Drifts During A Sudden Stratospheric Warning Event, J. L. Chau, Bela G. Fejer, L. P. Goncharenko Mar 2009

Quiet Variability Of Equatorial E × B Drifts During A Sudden Stratospheric Warning Event, J. L. Chau, Bela G. Fejer, L. P. Goncharenko

Bela G. Fejer

[1] We present strong evidence that during the January 2008 minor sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) event, the equatorial vertical E × B drifts exhibit a unique and distinctive daytime pattern. We do not think one event causes the other, however both events might be related through the global effects of planetary waves. The drifts were measured by the Jicamarca Incoherent scatter radar located under the magnetic equator. We have observed an anomalous temporal variation of the vertical E × B drifts during the minor SSW event, showing a semidiurnal variation with very large amplitudes lasting for several days. Large differences …


Climatology Of Early Night Equatorial Spread F Over Jicamarca, N. P. Chapagain, Bela G. Fejer Jan 2009

Climatology Of Early Night Equatorial Spread F Over Jicamarca, N. P. Chapagain, Bela G. Fejer

Bela G. Fejer

[1] We use radar observations from 1996 to 2006 to study the climatology of postsunset equatorial 3-m spread F irregularities over Jicamarca during all seasons. We show that the spread F onset times do not change with solar flux and that their onset heights, which occur near the altitude of the evening F region velocity vortex, increase linearly from about 260 to 400 km from solar minimum to solar maximum. Higher onset heights generally lead to stronger radar echoes. During the equinox, spread F onset occurs near vertical drift evening reversal times, while during the December solstice, they occur near …


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 …


Seasonal And Longitudinal Dependence Of Equatorialdisturbance Vertical Plasma Drifts, Bela G. Fejer, J. W. Jensen, S. Y. Su Oct 2008

Seasonal And Longitudinal Dependence Of Equatorialdisturbance Vertical Plasma Drifts, Bela G. Fejer, J. W. Jensen, S. Y. Su

Bela G. Fejer

[1] We used equatorial measurements from the ROCSAT-1 satellite to determine the seasonal and longitudinal dependent equatorial F region disturbance vertical plasma drifts. Following sudden increases in geomagnetic activity, the prompt penetration vertical drifts are upward during the day and downward at night, and have strong local time dependence at all seasons. The largest prompt penetration drifts near dusk and dawn occur during June solstice. The daytime disturbance dynamo drifts are small at all seasons. They are downward near dusk with largest (smallest) values during equinox (June solstice); the nighttime drifts are upward with the largest magnitudes in the postmidnight …


Quiet Time Equatorial F Region Vertical Plasma Drift Model Derived From Rocsat-1 Observations, Bela G. Fejer, J. W. Jensen, S. Y. Su May 2008

Quiet Time Equatorial F Region Vertical Plasma Drift Model Derived From Rocsat-1 Observations, Bela G. Fejer, J. W. Jensen, S. Y. Su

Bela G. Fejer

[1] We have used five years of measurements on board the ROCSAT-1 satellite to develop a detailed quiet time global empirical model for equatorial F region vertical plasma drifts. This model describes the local time, seasonal and longitudinal dependence of the vertical drifts for an altitude of 600 km under moderate and high solar flux conditions. The model results are in excellent agreement with measurements from the Jicamarca radar and also from other ground-based and in situ probes. We show that the longitudinal dependence of the daytime and nighttime vertical drifts is much stronger than reported earlier, especially during December …


F3 Layerduring Penetration Electric Field, N. Balan, H. Alleyne, S. V. Thampi, K. Lynn, Y. Otsuka, Bela G. Fejer, M. A. Abdu Mar 2008

F3 Layerduring Penetration Electric Field, N. Balan, H. Alleyne, S. V. Thampi, K. Lynn, Y. Otsuka, Bela G. Fejer, M. A. Abdu

Bela G. Fejer

[1] The occurrence of an additional layer, called F3 layer, in the equatorial ionosphere at American, Indian, and Australian longitudes during the super double geomagnetic storm of 7–11 November 2004 is presented using observations and modeling. The observations show the occurrence, reoccurrence, and quick ascent to the topside ionosphere of unusually strong F3 layer in Australian longitude during the first super storm (8 November) and in Indian longitude during the second super storm (10 November), all with large reductions in peak electron density (Nmax) and total electron content (GPS-TEC). The unusual F3 layers can arise mainly from unusually strong fluctuations …


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 …


Longitudinal Dependence Of Middle And Low Latitude Zonal Plasmadrifts Measured By De-2, J. Jensen, Bela Fejer Jan 2007

Longitudinal Dependence Of Middle And Low Latitude Zonal Plasmadrifts Measured By De-2, J. Jensen, Bela Fejer

Bela G. Fejer

We used ion drift observations from the DE-2 satellite to study for the first time the longitudinal variations of middle and low latitude F region zonal plasma drifts during quiet and disturbed conditions. The quiet-time middle latitude drifts are predominantly westward; the low latitude drifts are westward during the day and eastward at night. The daytime quiet-time drifts do not change much with longitude; the nighttime drifts have strong season dependent longitudinal variations. In the dusk-premidnight period, the equinoctial middle latitude westward drifts are smallest in the European sector and the low latitude eastward drifts are largest in the American-Pacific …


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 …


Climatology Of F Region Zonalplasma Drifts Over Jicamarca, Bela G. Fejer, J. R. Souza, A. S. Santos, A. E. Costa Pereira Dec 2005

Climatology Of F Region Zonalplasma Drifts Over Jicamarca, Bela G. Fejer, J. R. Souza, A. S. Santos, A. E. Costa Pereira

Bela G. Fejer

[1] We use extensive incoherent scatter radar observations made at the Jicamarca Radio Observatory between 1970 and 2003 to study and model empirically the equatorial zonal plasma drifts near the F region peak using Bernstein polynomials as base functions. Our quiet-time model results confirm that the daytime drifts are westward and are nearly season and solar cycle independent. The nighttime drifts are eastward, have larger magnitudes, and increase strongly with solar flux, particularly near equinox and December solstice. Enhanced geomagnetic activity drives small eastward perturbation drifts during the day and much larger westward disturbance drifts at night. The nighttime drift …


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.


Average Nighttime F Region Disturbance Neutral Winds Measured By Windi Uars: Initial Results, J. T. Emmert, Bela G. Fejer, G. G. Shepard, B. H. Solheim Nov 2004

Average Nighttime F Region Disturbance Neutral Winds Measured By Windi Uars: Initial Results, J. T. Emmert, Bela G. Fejer, G. G. Shepard, B. H. Solheim

Bela G. Fejer

[1] We use low- and mid-latitude wind data from the Wind Imaging Interferometer (WINDII) on board the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) to study the average response of nighttime upper thermospheric winds to geomagnetic activity. We calculate perturbation winds in magnetic coordinates and analyze them as a function of magnetic local time, latitude, geomagnetic activity, and solar EUV flux. The nighttime zonal disturbance winds are predominately westward, with the strongest effects extending from dusk at 70° to midnight at 45°. Westward disturbance winds are also observed throughout most of the night at low latitudes, where they change to eastward at …


Magnetospheric Electric Fields And Plasma Sheet Injections To Low-Lshells During The June 4-5, 1991 Magnetic Storm: Comparison Between The Rice Convectionmodel And Observations, T. W. Garner, R. A. Wolf, R. W. Spiro, W. J. Burke, Bela G. Fejer, S. Sazykin, J. L. Roeder, M. R. Hairston Jan 2004

Magnetospheric Electric Fields And Plasma Sheet Injections To Low-Lshells During The June 4-5, 1991 Magnetic Storm: Comparison Between The Rice Convectionmodel And Observations, T. W. Garner, R. A. Wolf, R. W. Spiro, W. J. Burke, Bela G. Fejer, S. Sazykin, J. L. Roeder, M. R. Hairston

Bela G. Fejer

[1] The major magnetic storm of 4–5 June 1991 was well observed with the Combined Release and Radiation Experiment (CRRES) satellite in the duskside inner magnetosphere and with three Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) spacecraft in the polar ionosphere. These observations are compared to results from the Rice Convection Model (RCM), which calculates the inner magnetospheric electric field and particle distribution self-consistently. This case study, which uses the most complete RCM runs to date, demonstrates two significant features of magnetospheric storms, the development of subauroral polarization streams (SAPS) and plasma-sheet particle injection deep into the inner magnetosphere. In particular, the …


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 …


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 …


Equatorial Counterelectrojetsduring Substorms, T. Kikuchi, K. Hashimoto, T. I. Kitamura, H. Tachihara, Bela G. Fejer Nov 2003

Equatorial Counterelectrojetsduring Substorms, T. Kikuchi, K. Hashimoto, T. I. Kitamura, H. Tachihara, Bela G. Fejer

Bela G. Fejer

[1] Equatorial counterelectrojet (CEJ) events are analyzed in association with changes in the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF), polar cap potential (PCP), and electric field measured in the equatorial ionosphere. In one event on 16 July 1995, the equatorial CEJ was observed at the afternoon dip equator during the recovery phase of the substorm when the IMF turned northward. Rapid decreases in the PCP and in the auroral electrojet occurred simultaneously with the equatorial CEJ, suggesting instantaneous equatorward penetration of the rapid decrease in the electric field associated with the region 1 field-aligned currents (R1 FACs) under the condition of a …


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.


Climatology And Latitudinal Gradients Of Quiet-Timethermospheric Neutral Winds Over Millstone Hill From Fabry-Perot Interferometermeasurements, J. T. Emmert, Bela G. Fejer, D. P. Sipler Jan 2003

Climatology And Latitudinal Gradients Of Quiet-Timethermospheric Neutral Winds Over Millstone Hill From Fabry-Perot Interferometermeasurements, J. T. Emmert, Bela G. Fejer, D. P. Sipler

Bela G. Fejer

[1] Midlatitude nighttime thermospheric neutral winds are strongly dependent on season, solar activity, and latitude. We use an extensive database of wind measurements made during 1989–2001 by the Millstone Hill Fabry-Perot interferometer to study the detailed climatology of quiet time neutral winds near an altitude of 250 km. To facilitate the analysis of these data, we develop a local time, day-of-year, solar flux, and latitude-dependent empirical model, with the latitude dependence obtained by considering north looking and south looking observations separately. Our results show that the zonal winds are predominantly eastward after dusk and westward before dawn, with the strongest …


Longitudinal Ionosphericeffects In The South Atlantic Sector During Solar Maximum, E. R. De Paula, J. R. Souza, Bela G. Fejer, G. J. Bailey, R. A. Heelis Jul 2002

Longitudinal Ionosphericeffects In The South Atlantic Sector During Solar Maximum, E. R. De Paula, J. R. Souza, Bela G. Fejer, G. J. Bailey, R. A. Heelis

Bela G. Fejer

[1] Large-scale horizontal gradients in ion density and vertical drift observed by the Atmospheric Explorer E satellite in the South Atlantic region (latitudes 10°S–20°S, longitudes 50°W–10°E) during the June solstice at solar maximum are presented and analyzed. These features occur during the nighttime period. The observations near 450-km altitude show vertically downward ion drift velocities exceeding 120 m s−1 and depleted regions where the ion density is around 2 × 104 cm−3. It is shown, using values modeled by the Sheffield University Plasmasphere Ionosphere Model (SUPIM) along the satellite trajectory, that the large ion density depletions appear as a result …


Polarization Jet Events And Excitation Of Weak Sar Arcs, S. Sazykin, Bela G. Fejer, Y. I. Galperin, S. A. Grigoriev, L. V. Zinin, M. Mendillo Jun 2002

Polarization Jet Events And Excitation Of Weak Sar Arcs, S. Sazykin, Bela G. Fejer, Y. I. Galperin, S. A. Grigoriev, L. V. Zinin, M. Mendillo

Bela G. Fejer

[1] Polarization Jet (PJ), also known as Sub-Auroral Ion Drift (SAID), events are supersonic westward plasma drifts on the equatorward edge of the diffuse aurora in the evening and nighttime sector. Their optical F-region signatures are weak 630.0 nm red arcs colocated with regions of fast convection. These weak arcs resemble Stable Auroral Red (SAR) arcs observed during the recovery phase of magnetic storms, but have lower intensities, shorter lifetimes, and occur without a significant heat flux from the magnetosphere. Previous model studies underestimated the brightness of weak SAR arcs. We present calculations showing that ion-neutral collisional heating and ion …


Climatology And Storm Time Dependence Ofnighttime Thermospheric Neutral Winds Over Millstone Hill, Bela G. Fejer, J. T. Emmert, D. P. Sipler Jan 2002

Climatology And Storm Time Dependence Ofnighttime Thermospheric Neutral Winds Over Millstone Hill, Bela G. Fejer, J. T. Emmert, D. P. Sipler

Bela G. Fejer

[1] We use 630.0 nm nightglow Fabry-Perot measurements over Millstone Hill from 1989–1999 to study the climatology and storm time dependence of the midlatitude thermospheric winds. Our quiet time wind patterns are consistent with results from earlier studies. We determine the perturbation winds by subtracting from each measurement the corresponding quiet time averages. The climatological zonal disturbance winds are largely independent of season and solar flux and show large early night westward and small late-night eastward winds similar to disturbance ion drifts. The meridional perturbation winds vary strongly with season and solar flux. When the solar flux is low, the …


Altitude Dependence Of Middleand Low-Latitude Thermospheric Disturbance Winds Measured By Windii, J. T. Emmert, Bela G. Fejer, G. G. Shepard, B. H. Solheim Jan 2002

Altitude Dependence Of Middleand Low-Latitude Thermospheric Disturbance Winds Measured By Windii, J. T. Emmert, Bela G. Fejer, G. G. Shepard, B. H. Solheim

Bela G. Fejer

[1] Thermospheric neutral winds exhibit strong altitudinal and latitudinal variation during geomagnetically quiet and active times. We use daytime middle and low-latitude neutral winds measured by the Wind Imaging Interferometer (WINDII) instrument on board the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) over the 90–275 km height range to study the altitude and season dependent climatology of disturbance winds (i.e., with quiet time patterns removed) in magnetic coordinates. The daytime perturbations winds are generally equatorward and westward and decrease toward the magnetic equator. Both the zonal and meridional components decrease sharply below 120 km and are essentially insignificant below 100 km. The …


Climatology Of Mid- And Low-Latitude F Region Disturbance Winds Measured By Windii, J. T. Emmert, Bela G. Fejer, C. G. Fesen, G. G. Shepherd, B. H. Solheim Nov 2001

Climatology Of Mid- And Low-Latitude F Region Disturbance Winds Measured By Windii, J. T. Emmert, Bela G. Fejer, C. G. Fesen, G. G. Shepherd, B. H. Solheim

Bela G. Fejer

No abstract provided.