Accession Number:

ADA172118

Title:

Plasma Densities and Irregularities at 830 km Altitude Based on Observations during 1979

Descriptive Note:

Interim rept.

Corporate Author:

AIR FORCE GEOPHYSICS LAB HANSCOM AFB MA

Personal Author(s):

• Rich, Frederick J.
• Smiddy, Michael

Report Date:

1986-05-28

Pagination or Media Count:

36.0

Abstract:

The in situ density of the thermal plasma was observed with instruments on two satellites of the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program. Each satellite was in a sun synchronous polar orbit so that the two satellites surveyed the topside ionosphere in the mid-morning 7 to 11 hrs magnetic local time and evening 19 to 23 hrs magnetic local time sectors. This report presents a survey of the measured thermal ion density in order to determine the median plasma density at 830 km altitude observed as a function of latitude, longitude and season. These results are compared with plasma densities from standard models of the ionosphere, and from previous topside plasma density observations. This report also presents a survey of low and mid latitude regions where plasma density irregularities are found. The plasma density irregularities in the equatorial region are presented as functions of latitude, longitude, and seasons. These regions are probably co-located with regions of Equatorial Spread F radio disturbances.

Descriptors:

• *IONOSPHERE
• *IONOSPHERIC MODELS
• *PLASMAS(PHYSICS)
• ARTIFICIAL SATELLITES
• DEFENSE SYSTEMS
• DIURNAL VARIATIONS
• EQUATORIAL REGIONS
• F REGION
• FUNCTIONS
• ION DENSITY
• LATITUDE
• MAGNETIC FIELDS
• METEOROLOGICAL SATELLITES
• MODELS
• OBSERVATION
• POLAR ORBIT TRAJECTORIES
• RADIOFREQUENCY INTERFERENCE
• REGIONS
• SEASONAL VARIATIONS
• THERMAL PROPERTIES

Subject Categories:

• Atmospheric Physics
• Geomagnetism

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE