Accession Number:

AD0735664

Title:

A Note on the High-Latitude Density Bulge Inferred from Low-Altitude Satellite Drag Data.

Descriptive Note:

Rept. for Jun-Oct 71,

Corporate Author:

AEROSPACE CORP EL SEGUNDO CALIF LAB OPERATIONS

Personal Author(s):

• Ching,Barbara K.

Report Date:

1971-12-31

Pagination or Media Count:

16.0

Abstract:

Drag data from the satellite OV1-15 are compared with the newest density model by Jacchi 1971a at altitudes below 200 km. Residuals between the observed and model density indicate the presence of a high-latitude density bulge, thereby confirming the results of a previous study which was based on an older Jacchia model 1970. Recent composition measurements in the polar regions have indicated that the N2 density is enhanced in a localized region, but not O. This anomaly persists even under geomagnetically quiet conditions. These results provide an explanation of why a polar-region density bulge has been observed consistently only at low altitudes 200 km where N2 is the major constituent, but not at higher altitudes where O predominates. Author

Descriptors:

• (*UPPER ATMOSPHERE
• DENSITY)
• POLAR REGIONS
• NITROGEN
• OXYGEN
• SCIENTIFIC SATELLITES
• DRAG

Subject Categories:

• Atmospheric Physics

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE