Advances in ionospheric physics in the rocket and satellite era

Schmerling, E. R.

doi:10.1029/rg004i003p00329

Cited by 7 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 103 publications

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“…the experimental error is roughly half of the observed total current, not more than half the o,bserved current is expected to be flowing near 125 kin. Assuming a constant electric field over the altitude range 100-130 kin, the proba,ble enhancement factor must be at least (1.25/0.86) X (2 --+ 1) ___ 3 _+ 1.5 Sporadic E layers 'having electron concentration enhancements greater than 10 have been observed [Schmerling, 1966]; thus, this factor seems entirely possible.…”

Section: Ab _____/zoj Cos I Sin $ (7)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Vector measurement of the midlatitudeSqionospheric current system

Cloutier¹,

Haymes²

1968

J. Geophys. Res.

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This paper reports the results of two flights of vector magnetometer systems designed to measure the magnitude and direction of the ionospheric current system responsible for the solar quiet daily geomagnetic variation. The measurements were obtained from cesium vapor magnetometers with bias coils flown aboard sounding rockets from Wallops Island, Virginia. Instrumental difficulties on both flights limited the resolution of measurement, but the data indicated that current sheets were penetrated on both flights. These current sheets were observed to be thinner and more intense than those measured by previous investigators, and were confined to the lower edge of the altitude range over which currents have usually been observed. The unusual altitude profiles on both flights and an anomalously large current magnitude with a fluctuating direction observed on the second flight are attributed to localized enhancement of ionospheric electron concentration in sporadic E layers observed in ionograms taken during the flights. Because of disturbed ionospheric conditions and unknown boundary effects due to horizontal localization of the sporadic E layer, it is difficult to evaluate the validity of theoretical conductivity models. However, calculations of the conductivity profile required by the current position and intensity indicate that the observed current structure requires electron concentration enhancement compatible with that experimentally observed in sporadic E layers. Previous theoretical work also predicts a localized enhancement of the Sq current confined to the horizontal extent of the sporadic E layer, although such a large enhancement as was observed is not easily explainable.

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Section: Ab _____/zoj Cos I Sin $ (7)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Vector measurement of the midlatitudeSqionospheric current system

Cloutier¹,

Haymes²

1968

J. Geophys. Res.

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“…It mould seem more appropriate for the atmospheric electrician to adopt the term "C-layer" as defined by Schmerling [20] for the location of the upper conducting layer.…”

Section: The "Equivalent Potential" Layermentioning

confidence: 99%

Evidence of a Solar Influence on the Atmospheric Electric Elements at Mauna Loa Observatory

Cobb

1967

Mon. Wea. Rev.

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The monitored atmospheric electric elements a t Mauna Loa Observatory, Hawaii, have provided good evidence of a direct solar influence on some of the electric elements recorded at the mountain observatory. An analysis of the data has shown that following a solar flare eruption, both the air-earth conduction current and the electric field, measured during fair weather at Mauna Loa, usually exceeded their established normal values.For the 1-year measurement period from September 1960 t o September 1961, nearly one-third of the days werc considered as "disturbed" solar days due t o solar flare activity. The mean value of the air-earth conduction current and the electric field on "disturbed" solar days exceeded that of the "quiet" solar days by about 10 percent.During the month of duly 1961, a period of spectacular solar activity, the highest sustained values of the year for the air-earth current and the electric field were recorded with the normal 24-hr. values being exceeded by as much as 35 percent, and for one 6-hr. period following a multiple flare burst, by 75 percent.The influence of corpuscular solar radiation on the earth-ionosphere electric circuit and upon the global thunderstorm activity are discussed.

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“…This same problem remains one of the principal limiting factors of our ability to determine how well laboratory results do in fact agree with ionospheric requirements. Schmerling [1966] has given a recent review of the nonchemical aspects of ionospheric physics.…”

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Ionospheric ion‐molecule reaction rates

Ferguson¹

1967

Reviews of Geophysics

112

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The current status of laboratory measurements of ion‐molecule reactions of ionospheric relevance is reviewed. Rate constants for the atmospheric loss reactions of He+, O+, and N2+ appear to be established to within about a factor of 2 at 300°K. The laboratory rate constants for O+ and N2+ ion loss are compatible with quiet midlatitude E‐ and F‐region requirements. The He+ loss reactions appear to be higher than is compatible with some He+ concentrations observed; however, the laboratory rate constants have been measured by so many investigators that they are unlikely to be seriously in error. In the D region, on the other hand, many of the important reactions are as yet unmeasured. Measurements of the relevant negative ion reactions with neutrals have only recently been started. No in situ atmospheric negative ion composition studies have as yet been carried out to guide the laboratory investigations. Many positive ion reactions of importance in the D region (as well as in sporadic E layers) remain to be measured. Finally, very little information concerning reactions of excited state ions with neutrals has been obtained. This will be important for certain disturbed ionospheric conditions and possibly for a precise analysis of normal ionospheric conditions, when this is merited.

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Advances in ionospheric physics in the rocket and satellite era

Cited by 7 publications

References 103 publications

Vector measurement of the midlatitudeSqionospheric current system

Vector measurement of the midlatitudeSqionospheric current system

Evidence of a Solar Influence on the Atmospheric Electric Elements at Mauna Loa Observatory

Ionospheric ion‐molecule reaction rates

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