|
Detailed Reference Information |
Hysell, D.L., Kelley, M.C., Swartz, W.E., Pfaff, R.F. and Swenson, C.M. (1994). Steepened structures in equatorial spread F: 1. New observations. Journal of Geophysical Research 99: doi: 10.1029/93JA02961. issn: 0148-0227. |
|
Sounding rocket data from the 1990 CRRES/EQUIS equatorial spread F campaign on Kwajalein Atoll are presented. Two Terrier Malamute sounding rockets were launched into active spread F conditions on July 30 and August 2, respectively, and achieved apogee slightly below 500 km, just above the F peak. Plasma frequency probes aboard both rockets showed that the unstable nighttime F region is characterized by propagating steepened structures. Power density spectra for the structures typically exhibit two regions that obey k-n scaling, where n is approximately equal to 2 at wavelengths greater than 80--100 m and approximately equal to 5 at shorter wavelengths. These spectral indices are quite variable, and the long-wavelength spectral index in particular seems to decrease with increasing amplitude of density fluctuations. The rocket payloads also measured vector electric fields in the plane perpendicular to B over wavelengths ranging from over 60 km to less than 6 m. Both vector components of the perpendicular electric field are proportional to Δn/n at wavelengths longer than 300 m but assume a Boltzmann relationship (with ‖ΔE‖2~k2‖Δn/n‖2) at smaller scales. The perturbed zonal electric field, ΔEx, dominates the vertical field, ΔEz, at long wavelengths, but the situation is reversed at smaller scales. ¿ American Geophysical Union 1994 |
|
|
|
BACKGROUND DATA FILES |
|
|
Abstract |
|
|
|
|
|
Keywords
Ionosphere, Equatorial ionosphere, Ionosphere, Electric fields and currents, Ionosphere, Plasma temperature and density, Ionosphere, Plasma waves and instabilities |
|
Publisher
American Geophysical Union 2000 Florida Avenue N.W. Washington, D.C. 20009-1277 USA 1-202-462-6900 1-202-328-0566 service@agu.org |
|
|
|