The topside ionosphere above Arecibo at equinox during sunspot maximum |
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Authors: | GJ Bailey |
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Institution: | Department of Applied Mathematics and Computing Science, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, England |
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Abstract: | The coupled time-dependent O+ and H+ continuity and momentum equations and O+, H+ and electron heat balance equations are solved simultaneously within the L = 1.4 (Arecibo) magnetic flux tube between an altitude of 120 km and the equatorial plane. The results of the calculations are used in a study of the topside ionosphere above Arecibo at equinox during sunspot maximum. Magnetically quiet conditions are assumed.The results of the calculations show that the L = 1.4 magnetic flux tube becomes saturated from an arbitrary state within 2–3 days. During the day the ion content of the magnetic flux tube consists mainly of O+ whereas O+ and H+ are both important during the night. There is an altitude region in the topside ionosphere during the day where ion-counterstreaming occurs with H+ flowing downward and O+ flowing upward. The conditions causing this ion-counterstreaming are discussed. There is a net chemical gain of H+ at the higher altitudes. This H+ diffuses both upwards and downwards whilst O+ diffuses upwards from its solar e.u.v. production source which is most important at the lower altitudes. During the night the calculated O+ and H+ temperatures are very nearly equal whereas during the day there are occasions when the H+ temperature exceeds the O+ temperature by about 300 K. |
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